Jagson seeks nod to raise two floors over 11-storey tower

Now that the 11-storey supporting tower has already been built,the company has reviewed its plan and wants to raise its height from the permissible 39.5 metres to around 45.5 metres. In its application,the company says: “Raising the height will save at least 11 green trees from getting cut.”

Twenty six trees have already been felled to raise the building. The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) had given permission to cut 31 green trees for the project. According to the present estimate quoted by the company,if the height of the structure is not raised,in all 37 trees would be required to be cut.

The sudden review of the construction plan at this stage has raised many questions on the intentions of the developers. This has also left the Government in a tricky situation — it will now have to opt between allowing additional floors and cutting six more trees.

“We propose to install all equipment and heavy machinery for operating the ropeway on the top floors,for which more height is required. It will prevent cutting of 11 more trees,as 26 have already been cut. An application has been submitted to the Government and the response is awaited,” said Virender Kumar Gupta,operation and technical manager of the ropeway project,at Jagson International.

The Shimla Municipal Corporation,to whom the application was submitted,has raised no objections till now regarding the strength and stability of the structure in case its height is raised. A senior officer said: “We are forwarding their request to the state Government,as we do not have the authority to take a decision on this.”