Shimla, July 14 (UNI) The Himachal Pradesh High Court has pulled up the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) over recurring incidents of rainwater overflowing on the Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru National Highway, caused due to clogged and damaged roadside drains.
In a suo motu public interest litigation, the division bench comprising Chief Justice GS Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma on July 10 directed the central ministry and NHAI to file a detailed affidavit, after observing that the affidavit submitted by the state’s Public Works Department (PWD) is inadequate and lacked clarity on the exact locations of drainage blockage, the sanctioned repairs, and ongoing restoration work.
The court noted that the reply, supported by an affidavit from the Superintending Engineer of the National Highway Circle in Shimla, admitted to major damages caused by landslides and falling debris, which have blocked the drains and damaged retaining walls along the road.
Though some restoration work has started after partial sanctioning from the central ministry, the court said the affidavit did not sufficiently explain where the repairs are taking place or which portions still await approval.
The High Court stressed that the issue was not confined to the Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru stretch, but similar problems are also being faced on the Theog-Shimla road. The inadequate drainage infrastructure is leading to dangerous waterlogging on metalled roads, causing serious risks for commuters.
Taking serious note of the vague and incomplete response, the court directed that a better affidavit be filed, clearly specifying the responsibility for maintenance of different road stretches. The court also impleaded the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways as a respondent in the case, holding it directly accountable to the dangerous condition on the highway.
Deputy Solicitor General Balram Sharma and Advocate Rajeev Sharma appeared for the Union Government, while Assistant Engineer Shiv Vardan was present in person on behalf of the HP PWD.
The matter would be next heard on August 7.
