Plea seeks ‘urgent intervention’ to protect the Ridge, HC issues notice to HP, Shimla MC

Built using lime and mortar, the tank holds over 10 lakh gallons of water and faces potential damage from the regular movement of heavy vehicles and increasing commercial events on its surface, the petition says.

Taking note of the plea, a division bench led by Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia, and comprising Justice Ranjan Sharma, on July 30 issued notices directing the authorities to respond within four weeks.

The matter is listed for hearing on September 3.

Panwar has been waging a battle against the commercial activities and movement of heavy vehicles on the Ridge,
In December last year, he had written to the chief secretary demanded to shift the stage of winter carnival away from ‘yellow markings’ on the Ridge.

Citing the age and structure of the underground water tank, he had highlighted that it has been kept in a “very high vulnerable” zone in the Hazard Vulnerability Risk Assessment of the Shimla town. “It is precisely because of this reason that no activity is allowed on the Ridge Water tank that may cause further accentuating of the vulnerability,” he had said, adding “there is no reinforcement in the tank and since the last few decades cracks have started appearing in the tank”.

He had further added that the northern slopes of the Ridge have already experienced subsidence since 1971 and are “still considered as sinking zone extending from Scandal Point to Lakkar Bazaar, including the Old City Bus Stand, Idgah, Longwood, Ruldu Bhatta and adjoining areas”.

Recently the traders’ body in Shimla had held a symbolic shutdown protesting against the increasing use of the Ridge and Mall Road for exhibitions and trade fairs. They had argued that such activities not only disregard the pedestrian norms but also undermine the cultural and historical significance of the area.