32 more hotels sealed in Kasol

Abhinav Vashisht

KULLU, SEPTEMBER 20

During the third phase of the sealing drive against illegal establishments as per the High Court orders, the administration on Thursday sealed 32 more commercial establishments in and around Kasol in Manikaran valley of the district.

Earlier, 76 hotels and commercial establishments were sealed in two phases at Kasol, Tosh, Katagla and Manikaran. The administration had prepared a list of 63 commercial establishments for the 3rd phase but most of them had already completed the necessary formalities.

The High Court had ordered sealing of 40 hotels, guest houses, home stays, dhabas in the first phase.

In the second phase on June 26, the High Court had ordered sealing of 48 business establishments but 11 hotel owners had completed the formalities and one guest house had already been closed.

The district administration had submitted inspection reports of various hotels and commercial establishments to the High Court after which the court ordered shutting down of illegal establishments.

Some of the establishments lacked necessary registration documents with tourism and other departments, while some others had totally or partially encroached upon forest or government land.

Three teams comprising officials from Tourism, Revenue, Forest, Electricity, the State Pollution Control Board and Town and Country Planning departments carried out the sealing drive in Kasol, Manikaran and Tosh. Each of the teams was accompanied by 15 police personnel to avert any untoward incident. The sealing drive was conducted peacefully.

Kullu SDM Amit Guleria said the final phase of sealing drive would be carried out soon as per the directions of the high court.

As per the directions of the High Court, demarcation would be done after razing of illegal portions and accomplishing the necessary formalities to pave the way for their opening.

Over 35 commercial establishments have been reopened so far after they have completed all the formalities, he said.

The court has issued orders that those establishments whose formalities have been completed would be reopened. The administration team was inspecting such hotels to pave way for their reopening.

Reasons for sealing

Some establishments lacked registration documents with tourism and other departments, while some others had totally or partially encroached upon forest or government land.