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‘Killer’ bridges of Bilaspur
Houses for urban poor in Shimla
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Himachal diary
Youths opting for AIDS test before marriage
CM opens biosciences varsity
Nurpur MC razes illegal structure
Pandoh set to be on health tourism map
NHPC allots Rs 97.89 cr to state
Scheme to beautify Khajjiar Lake under way
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‘Killer’ bridges of Bilaspur
Bilaspur, April 13 The bridge, constructed by Gammon India Company, is the only direct link to Ghumarwin sub-division and various other districts, like Hamirpur, Kangra, Una, Chamba and some parts of Mandi district from Shimla and other nearby areas. The district takes pride in the fact that the bridge is famous as the highest bridge of Asia and also that it has the unique feature of having two of its main pillars in the mid stream of the fastest river of the world - Satluj. But since then, it has earned another notoriety, which was never expected of it. It has turned out to be the biggest life-taker of frustrated and dejected ones, as the bridge is now being called as the ‘suicide bridge’ of the district. People not only from the district, but also from far-off places come here for committing suicide. This is a preferred suicidal point because of two reasons, firstly due to the height of the bridge and secondly the torrential flow of water. Similarly, Ali Khud Bridge, two km from the town, has benefited millions of people crossing it every year on the NH-88, is also being considered by dejected persons as another easily approachable suicidal site. Though there are no counted figures, it is estimated that every month on an average six persons kill themselves by jumping either from the Ali Khud Bridge or the Kandraur Bridge. One major construction defect in these bridges are their low side railings, making it easier for people to commit suicide. Therefore, there has been demand from people and social organisations here that railings should be constructed in such a way that neither should the picturesque view be obstructed, nor those desiring to commit suicide should succeed in their attempt.
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Houses for urban poor in Shimla Rakesh Lohumi Tribune News Service
Shimla, April 13 The local municipal corporation has been able to identify suitable land for all phases of the "Ashiana" project under which over 1000 dwelling units are to be constructed for the "shelterless poor" of the city. The Centre has sanctioned funds but the project was held up as the land selected by the corporation turned out to be forestland. A case for diversion of the land under the Forest Conservation Act was moved but it was rejected on the plea that forestland could not be provided for housing projects. In the meantime the corporation was able to find a 15,000 sq m piece of municipal land at Dhalli. It decided to implement the Rs 10-crore first phase of the project on the land and the work has been accordingly awarded to the state urban development authority (HIMUDA). However, efforts of the corporation to locate land for the second and third phases proved futile as no suitable land was available. In fact, the corporation has been finding it difficult to identify land for dumping sites as forestland accounts for a bulk of the area under its control. The corporation has now finally decided to build the Rs 14-crore second phase and part of the Rs 13-crore third phase at Dhalli itself. Joint Municipal Commissioner KK Sharma, who is also the nodal officer for JNURM, says that the project has been redesigned to accommodate the second phase and a part of the third phase at the site available in Dhalli. The corporation has identified a 500 sq m piece of land near Shivpuri where the remaining houses of the third phase will be constructed. A sum of Rs 13 crore has been sanctioned for the third phase. Land is scarce in hill terrain and the corporation had no option but to split the phases. The plan is to build both one-bedroom and two-bedroom houses for which BPL families having income below Rs 26,000 will be eligible. A survey conducted by the administration had identified 3050 BPL families in the city and the corporation has issued over 1,800 BPL cards. The poor will be allotted the houses at 12 to 15 per cent of the cost incurred. They will not be able to sell the house and will have to actually reside there. The corporation has also speeded up the process of reforms most of which are mandatory under the mission and aimed at improving the financial health of the corporation, besides ensuring efficiency in delivery of basic civic services to the people. A major reform pertains to rationalisation of the property tax under which the tax is proposed to be charged on the unit area basis taking into account the location and the cost of construction into consideration. It will help increase the total income from property tax from the existing Rs 7.5 crore to over Rs 20 crore.
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From humanities to science to become vet
Baldev Chauhan, a veterinary officer of the Animal Husbandry Department, has a unique achievement to his credit, which has earned him a place in the Limca Book of Records. He pursued an unusual academic route by first going through the humanities stream to obtain a postgraduate degree in political science and then starting all over again to earn the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Anima Husbandry. The turnaround from arts to science came after he joined the Animal Husbandry Department as the veterinary stock assistant after completing one-year diploma in 1985. The villagers who visited the veterinary dispensary for taking medicines considered him as a doctor and he felt bad as he was only a veterinary pharmacist. The negative feeling spurred him to take a positive step and he decided to become a veterinary surgeon. The road was difficult as he had to start all over again and clear the plus two with science, he recalled with beaming eyes. His unflinching determination and hard work paid and he managed to get admission to the veterinary college at Chaudhary Shrawan Kumar University of Agriculture, Palampur. He eventually passed the B.V.Sc. in 1998, securing the first division. In the process he earned a unique distinction of being the oldest candidate to obtain a bachelor's degree in veterinary science at the age of 40. A native of Didi village in Kotkhai tehsil Baldev is an accomplished veterinary surgeon today, currently posted at Kiari. Shifting bus stand to multiply commuters' woes
The woes of commuters in the state capital are likely to multiply with the proposed shifting of the main bus stand to Tuti Kandi by June 15. With no reliable local bus service in the city which is spreading in all directions with new localities coming up at far-away places, reaching the bus stand, particularly during the late evening and early morning hours will be a nightmare. The location of the new bus stand at Tuti Kandi on the bypass (See photo) is such that it not easily accessible from the main township and most of the peripheral localities like
Bharari, Kaithu, Puabo and other places. The objective of shifting the bus stand is to ease traffic congestion. However, the purpose would not be served as the HRTC will have to ply as many buses, if not more, to ferry people between the main town and the new bus stand. It will only cause inconvenience to the people who will be at the mercy of taxi operators. The HRTC is planning to introduce local services during the night from the 75-bus fleet funds for which have been provided by the Centre under the Jawaharlal Nehru Urban Renewal Mission. However, given the dismal state of services being plied during the day, without route numbers, fixed routes or timings, the step is not likely to make the life easier for the residents.
Senior BJP leaders targeted
April 6 was observed as the foundation day of the BJP at many places. While this day is generally observed to consolidate the party where leaders and activists make their frank observations about the present state of affairs with in the party and remember the contribution of founding members of the
BJP. In one such function held at Hamirpur this occasion was however used by a few party leaders to target certain senior leaders. Not only did they try to train their guns at some party leaders without naming them in the presence of top leaders but also tried to denigrate some of them. While senior party leaders were surprised at this criticism party workers were more puzzled. After the conclusion of this programme one activist was heard commenting: "What a way to pay homage to our founding members and present ideals for the younger lot in the party?" (Contributed by Rakesh Lohumi and DP Gupta)
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Youths opting for AIDS test before marriage
Hamirpur, April 13 According to hospital sources, about 25 couples visited the hospital for the test in the past one year and almost all of them were found negative. In case of a couple, the boy was found positive. Even then the couple decided to go ahead with their marriage. Popularisation of AIDS test before marriage in Hamirpur district is quite significant since several deaths have occurred due to AIDS in the past and the district till some time back had the highest number of AIDS-infected patients in the state. Even at present, the district has the second highest number of 857 HIV positive cases and 115 AIDS patients in the state. Opting for AIDS test voluntarily by youths and couples is the result of awareness component of AIDS awareness programme as youths are realising that this test is quite important for ensuring healthy married life. Telling about voluntary AIDS test by youths here, district AIDS control programme officer Dr RK Agnihotri said: “The awareness about AIDS among youths has definitely led to voluntary tests before marriage in general and couples in particular and many couples are coming to the hospital to take HIV test”. He said: “It is good that youths are opting for this test since there is no cure for AIDS at present and HIV test could be crucial for their better future. In the coming time even parents would insist for the test besides verifying other things before fixing the marriage of a girl or a boy”.
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Apple grown in subtropical zone
Nurpur, April 13 CK Mahajan, a retired justice, who hails from Bhadwar village, near here, is feeling proud of the successful cultivation of apple crop in his orchard in this subtropical zone of hill state where the temperature is not conducive for apple cultivation. Mahajan took this initiative when one of his friends told him that apple could be cultivated in the lower areas of the Kangra district. A visit to the orchard reveals the success story. Mahajan says initially, he had planted 25 saplings of apple fruit three years ago. Out of which, 19 plants grew successfully. He claims that last year too, he planted 20 saplings of apple fruits, out of which 17 grew successfully and now bearing fruits. He informs he has grown only delicious variety of apple and exhorts other growers to diversify fruit crops to apple cultivation. “Irrigation facility is the prime hurdle in fruit and vegetable growing in lower Kangra district. If the state government provides such facility or revive traditional water sources, our area can be developed as fruit and vegetable hub of the state,” he asserts. Mahajan, after retiring from the Delhi High Court, has shown a keen interest in growing fruits at his ancestral orchards in his native village. Apart from delicious apple, he has also successfully grown strawberry, kiwi and red-blood Malta.x
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CM opens biosciences varsity
Solan, April 13 This was stated by Chief Minister PK Dhumal while inaugurating a university of life sciences and management at Bajhol village near Solan. The Chief Minister said with several private universities in the district, it would contribute significantly to make the state a knowledge hub. He said setting up of universities in private sector was indirectly related to giving boost to the tourism sector, since large number of students would also act as ambassador of the state tourism. He said former President APJ Abdul Kalam had also recognised the efforts of the state towards environment protection, education and health sector. He said with the setting up of one Information Technology university in private sector, a new chapter had been added in the education history of the state. Prof PK Khosla apprised the audience of the necessity to set up the first biotechnology university of the country and added that the university would impart education of world-class and produce the best professionals.
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Nurpur MC razes illegal structure
Nurpur, April 13 According to Lalit Kumar, executive officer (EO) of the MC, the action was taken following directions of the director, urban development and deputy commissioner, Kangra. He pointed out that according to a new directive, EOs would be held responsible for any illegal construction and encroachment on government land within the jurisdiction of the MC. According to information, over 100 cases of encroachment on government land in the MC area are under consideration of the revenue department. No person can get water and electricity connection by encroaching on government land and it is mandatory for the owner of the building to get no-objection certificate from the MC before submitting applications for water or electricity connection. However, encroachers with their high connections, enjoy favoritism and mandatory provisions fail to deter them from getting clearance from the MC. Meanwhile, the demolition action has displeased land mafia, but it certainly earned the appreciation from law-abiding residents of the town.
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Pandoh set to be on health tourism map
Mandi, April 13 The institute would provide OPD and “panchkarma” therapy to patients. It would have a herbarium housing high-altitude medicinal plants, which would benefit entrepreneurs willing to start their own health spas. The ARRI would be first of its kind in the country. The institute would provide top facilities to patients seeking ayurvedic treatment and “panchkarma” therapy that has revolutionised health tourism in Kerala, say ayurvedic experts. The “panchkarma” therapy would be available to patients and health tourists at the institute’s proposed 10 “panchkarma” huts. While Kerala has tapped its ayurvedic tourism, Himachal being home to ayurveda is lagging behind, experts say. Dr Om Sharma, nodal officer, ARRI, says they have already acquired 7.5 bigha of forestland after paying Rs 8.04 lakh to the Forest Department as its net present value. “But we need 5 bigha more for the project for which the search is on,” he adds. The institute would provide OPD and indoor facilities for patients seeking ayurvedic treatment. The institute is already running from a rented accommodation at Gandhi Bhawan, offering OPD, swine flue OPD and geriatric OPD services and carrying on other national programmes like documentation of vector-borne diseases in the Mandi region, Dr Om informs. He says the institute would have a research facility, documentation department, microbiology and pharmacy. “We will make a databank of high-altitude medicinal plants after a survey in the Himalayas,” he adds. Dr Om says the institute is already involved in the digitisation of medical manuscripts and national campaign on anaemia. “We have so far provided treatment to over four lakh patients in OPDs at the ARRI here,” he claims. The DPR for the project, approved by the Central Council for Research in Ayurveda and Siddha under Ayush, has already sent the project to the standing finance committee of the Ministry of Health and Family welfare, ARRI’s doctors say.
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NHPC allots Rs 97.89 cr to state
Dalhousie, April 13 According to NHPC Region-II executive director SK Agrawal, this amount includes Rs 50.85 crore, which had already been funded to the state PWD for the construction of three bridges at Gehra, Dunali, Durgathi and the widening of the tortuous road from Chamba to Goli, a portion of the Chamba-Pathankot highway. Besides, two catchment area treatment (CAT) plans for environment management and sustainable development in the environs of the Chamera hydroelectric projects stage-II and III at an estimated cost of Rs 41.29 crore have also been implemented through the Himachal Pradesh State Forest Department. Regarding other community development schemes, including Rs 5.75-crore social welfare activities of the corporation, landscaping and beautification works of the HRTC's bus-stand at Banikhet have also been executed as this site is a gateway to Dalhousie and Chamba hill stations. Earlier, almost a half-km-long tunnel aligned with the Chamba-Bharmour highway, near Kharamukh, in the Bharmour tribal terrain leading to the famous sacred pilgrimage centre of Manimahesh saddled in the mountainous region of Chamba district has been put through and opened to vehicular traffic; the executive director claimed.
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Scheme to beautify Khajjiar Lake under way
Chamba, April 13 Throwing of garbage, polythene, plastic material and noise pollution have been banned in and around the Kalatop-Khajjiar Wildlife Sanctuary area with a view to protecting the biodiversity of the eco-system and avoiding any disturbance to the wild animals. Dustbins have been laid at identified points for tourists. In order to generate income resources, the Eco-Tourism Society for Kalatop-Khajjiar has recently auctioned Miyarigala and Lakkarmandi checkpoints, which are the entry points to the wildlife sanctuary for the current fiscal year. The auction is going to double its revenue as compared to the previous year ended on March 31. According to Divisional Forest Officer (Wildlife) Surjit Kumar Mehra, who is also spearheading the Eco-Tourism Society for Kalatop-Khajjiar, the society would fetch annual revenue of Rs 11.70 lakh from the auction of entry points during this financial year where entry fee would be charged from the vehicles entering into the Kalatop-Khajjiar area. The auction also included parking fee of vehicles in the parking lots earmarked at different locations around the glad of the lake. "Last year, the auction fetched an income of Rs 6.60 lakh. The funds accrued from the auction are utilised on the development and beautification of the lake and its glad under the aegis of the Eco-Tourism Society for Kalatop-Khajjiar," the DFO stated.
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Baldev Chauhan, a veterinary officer of the Animal Husbandry Department, has a unique achievement to his credit, which has earned him a place in the Limca Book of Records. He pursued an unusual academic route by first going through the humanities stream to obtain a postgraduate degree in political science and then starting all over again to earn the degree of Bachelor of Veterinary Science and Anima Husbandry.
