Multistory new buildings in Solan MC under High Court scanner, summons secretary & director of TCP on next hearing

Multistory new buildings in Solan MC under High Court scanner, summons secretary & director of TCP on next hearing

Shimla, Aug 19,

Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the Secretary and Director of the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Department to remain personally present before it on August 25 and explain why action should not be initiated against them for alleged non-compliance with its orders concerning construction activities in Solan district.

The direction was passed by a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi while hearing a batch of public interest litigations, including CWPIL No. 13 of 2021 concerning the proliferation of multi-storeyed buildings and other construction-related violations in Solan and its adjoining areas.

The court noted that the Solan Regional Plan was published in the Rajpatra on January 27, 2026. However, more than six months after its publication, the affidavit filed before the court did not disclose what action had been taken thereafter. Taking serious note of the situation, the Bench directed the officers who had earlier appeared before it—the Secretary and Director, Town and Country Planning—to remain present on the next date and explain the alleged non-compliance with the court’s directions over the past three and a half years.

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The latest proceedings assume importance in view of the court’s continuing scrutiny of large-scale construction in Solan and its surrounding areas. In a connected PIL, the court had earlier taken note of multi-storeyed constructions in areas including Barog, Kumarhatti, Kheel Jhalsi, Koron and Kainthari, besides alleged unauthorised construction, hill cutting, encroachments and environmental violations.

The court has already restrained construction beyond six floors in the concerned areas, citing the steep hill gradient, structural stability concerns and the need for expert assessment. It has also specifically directed TCP, Solan, to ensure that no construction beyond six floors, including finishing of flats above the prescribed height, is permitted.

The connected PILs have been listed for hearing on August 25.

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