Shimla ex-dy Mayor to demand setting up of SIT to look into criminal plaint against NHAI

It was recently when, in respect to the recent monsoon fury that had left a trail of destruction, death and injury in Himachal Pradesh, a criminal complaint was filed against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its associates accusing them of resorting to unscientific methods during the construction of a four-lane national highway (NH) between Parwanoo and Solan by Panwar. While no FIR was registered in this regard by the Solan police department, Panwar in his complaint had held NHAI responsible for not only damaging the natural ecosystem but also led to massive loss of human lives and assets of this tourist state.

Talking to The Indian Express, Panwar said, “It has been more than a week ever since the criminal complaint was filed with the Parwanoo police station , but no action has been taken by them till now. The police department is sitting quiet over the issue . It is for this, we will now write to the Himachal state government to set up an independent SIT to look into the matter. Also we would be demanding an independent Commission of Inquiry, preferable headed by a Retired Supreme court judge to investigate into the role of NHAI and other authorities in the large scale destruction caused during the recent rain fury”

While for the police, they claim that the records from the NHAI have been called for and investigations in the matter, are on, but they haven’t registered a case yet. SP, Solan, Gaurav Singh, “The investigations in the case are going on and the NHAI have been asked to show the records to check if any unscientific ways in the construction were used by them”.

With NH-5 still closed since August 2, the Solan administration is making all efforts to assist the commuters. Regional Manager, Solan of HRTC, Darshan Singh said, “To help the commuters, we have put up our buses on standby with three to four buses on this side of Chakki Mor and few on the other side towards Parwanoo. The commuters find using the alternate Nahan route too cumbersome, so they prefer coming till here, then cross the Kalka Shimla heritage train tunnel, walking and then take the buses from this side to travel to Shimla side. On a daily basis, we are transporting around 400 to 500 commuters. As there is no scope of opening of NH-5 for heavy traffic in near future.”