Demolition drive in Kalka today

The National Highway Authority of India is all set to conduct a demolition drive on the Kalka section of the Pinjore-Kalka National Highway on Tuesday.

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) is all set to conduct a demolition drive on the Kalka section of the Pinjore-Kalka National Highway on Tuesday. The drive,according to the directions of the Supreme Court,will commence at 9.30 am.

The Administration swung into action today only after it was questioned by the Punjab and Haryana High Court for not initiating the demolition process despite directions of the Supreme Court. As a result,the NHAI sought a days time to begin the demolition drive. The NHAI has also been directed to submit the status report by March 19. Meanwhile,the authorities advised the public to be prepared to travel extra kilometres to reach Shimla tomorrow.

On the NHAIs request to provide security at the drive,the Panchkula Additional DC has been made the coordinator for the drive and Kalka SDM O P Sharma has been designated as the duty magistrate for the purpose, said Panchkula DC Rajender Kataria.

On January 31,the NHAI and local administration had descended on Kalka to raze the illegal structures. But before they could start,the residents obtained a stay till February 10 from the Supreme Court. Later,the SC ordered that the NHAI could carry on with the demolition without damaging the original structures at Kalka.

Traffic diversions
* Traffic coming from Shimla would be diverted to Parwanoo,Barotiwala,Baddi,Pinjore and Panchkula. This would be a one-way flow owing to heavy traffic flow and poor condition of the Baddi road.
* Traffic from Chandigarh to Shimla would be diverted from Transport Chowk to Dera Bassi,Kala Amb,Nahan,Sarahan and then the Shimla highway.
* Traffic from Panchkula to Shimla would be diverted from Majri Chowk to Naraingarh,Kala Amb,Nahan,Sarahan and the Shimla highway.
* Traffic going from Delhi to Shimla would be diverted from Shahbad to Saha,Naraingarh,Kala Amb,Nahan,Sarahan and then to the Shimla highway.

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