Water tank below, Shimla Mayor says no to function on the Ridge
Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan today stopped the construction of a stage on the Ridge for the function of the HP AIDS Control Society. The contractor had brought a big crane machine on to the Ridge to lift heavy poles and angles that were to be used for the construction of the stage.
“We have a fixed area on the Ridge for erecting a stage so that the stage size isn’t too big. The stage wasn’t being erected in the specified area, so I asked them to stop the work. The programme will probably be held at some other venue now,” said Chauhan.
There’s a big water tank underneath a portion of the Ridge, and this area is generally kept out of bounds for heavy vehicles, machinery and construction material. A couple of years back, the underneath water tank had developed some cracks and it had to be repaired.
Chauhan further said that the permission for holding a function on the Ridge is given by the Home Department, and at times the Municipal Corporation is not even aware of the programmes. “We had no idea about this particular function. I will request the government that the MC should be kept in the loop as and when permission is given to someone to hold any function on the Ridge,” said Chauhan.
Meanwhile, Tikender Panwar, a former deputy mayor, took a strong exception to bringing heavy crane machine on to the Ridge and holding of a function. “The crane was brought right above the tank. There’s a High Court order that prohibits holding any function on the Ridge, but still the functions are being held,” he said.
He further said that apart from the High Court Order, holding a function on the Ridge violates three laws – Heritage Act, Valley Side Act and Street Vendors Act. As per the heritage Act, no temporary structure could be erected on the Ridge. The Valley View Act debars erection of structure that blocks the valley view. “And the Ridge is a no-vending zone. So, no street vending can be allowed on the Ridge. Unfortunately, all these laws are being violated,” said Panwar.
