Hope floats for Shimla’s Jakhu ropeway project

According to sources,the Himachal Pradesh High Court — which last year had restrained the company from going ahead with the project or raising the height of the 11-storey sanctioned structure in Shimla’s core area — has left it to the government to take a decision on regularisation of the two “illegal additional top floors”.

Against the 11 storeys initially proposed,the company had increased the structure to 13 storeys on the pretext that it would avoid felling of forest trees.

The Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC) was quick to pass the buck on the government,though it did propose a penalty clause on the company for having raised the height of the structure above the earlier sanctioned 39.90 m. “Let two illegally raised floors be taken over by the government,” the MC is reported to have told the state’s town and country planning (TCP) department.

The tourism department,on the other hand,though keen to see that the project is commissioned without much delays and complications,also wants the TCP department to pass a final order on regularisation of the illegalities committed by the company.

“The tourism department’s mandate is very different. Of course,we want Shimla to have lot of new things,which will make more tourists come here. The company executing the Jakhu ropeway project has made a presentation to the government. The TCP department will take a decision shortly,” said Arun Sharma,Director (Tourism).

State Principal Secretary (TCP and Home) P C Dhiman said the department is studying the case. “I have asked for all earlier court orders. After an in-depth study,we will take the issue to the cabinet.” Dhiman sounded optimistic on finding ac wayout within the powers and framework of TCP rules,including a provision of penalty and retaining the company from making any commercial use of the space.

Admitting that the company had given a detailed explanation for raising additional floors,Principal Secretary added: “All facts will be placed before the cabinet soon.”

The ropeway,proposed in the mid-eighties,is designed to connect the famous Jakhu temple with an aerial ropeway. But after the promoters raised the height of the structure,some environmentalists and citizens moved high court. Recently,the government had given its nod to at least five new ropeway projects in the state.