HP High Court directs urgent action on road widening, AIIMS Chamiyana infrastructure gaps

Shimla, May 19,

The Himachal Pradesh High Court has directed the State Government to urgently resolve infrastructure bottlenecks affecting the road from Bhatta Kuffer junction to IGMC Phase-II and the development of the Atal Institute of Medical Super Specialties (AIMSS), Chamiyana. A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma issued the directives while hearing a suo motu Public Interest Litigation on May 14.

The Bench, after examining a status report filed by the Chief Secretary, observed that the 2.4-kilometer road stretch remains partially incomplete due to various obstructions, including unshifted electricity poles, pending land acquisition, and delayed coordination between agencies. “The widening work of the said road has apparently been hampered on account of electricity poles standing on the side of the road,” the judges noted, directing HPSEBL to file a detailed report on the number and location of the poles that need relocation without causing disruption to the local power supply.

On the issue of land acquisition for a 210-meter stretch, the court was informed that negotiations were underway for the acquisition of 00-06-02 hectares of private land at a recommended rate of ₹12 lakh per biswa, amounting to ₹1.92 crore. The Forest Department has also been tasked with enumerating trees on the site to facilitate the road expansion. Emphasizing urgency, the Court stated, “We request the Chief Secretary to the Government of Himachal Pradesh to ensure that acquisition process is completed at the earliest under his guidance.”

The Court expressed concern over non-compliance with its earlier direction to establish ‘Sarayans’ (resting accommodations) near AIMSS Chamiyana, noting that the Chief Secretary’s affidavit remained silent on this aspect. The Bench directed that a separate affidavit be filed detailing steps taken for the same.

During the hearing, the Court also took note of the delay in regular public bus services to AIMSS Chamiyana. Although bus services for staff were initiated in March 2025, the Court highlighted the lack of service for patients and attendants. “Let it be specified how many buses are being plied to AIIMS Chamiana… and in case the bus service is not in place, necessary steps be taken by the Himachal Pradesh Transport Corporation to start the bus service,” the order reads.

The Bench also emphasized the need to install street lights in the forested sections between Bhatta Kuffer and AIMSS Chamiyana for safety, especially during night hours. The matter had earlier been flagged in the government’s affidavit due to jurisdictional complications over forest land.

Reviewing the development status of AIMSS Chamiyana, the court was informed that OPD services in six specialties and IPD services in three departments had commenced, with a current operational bed strength of 324. Despite operational milestones such as the launch of canteen services, pharmacy, and blood storage facilities, the Court sought clarity on pending infrastructure like doctor accommodation and ambulance services. The judges specifically called for expediting the procurement of Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances, as only one bidder had responded to the earlier tender floated via the Government e-Marketplace (GeM).

Turning to connectivity issues, the Court referred to a status report filed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which stated that 100 meters of the existing road lies within the right of way of the Shakral to Dhalli section of NH-05. The remaining 200 meters under PWD control is in use by NHAI but awaits metalling. The Court directed both NHAI and the State to coordinate effectively, with the concessionaire M/s Gawar Shimla Highway Pvt Ltd responsible for maintaining the road post-metalling.

The Court also called for a status report from the Medical Superintendent of AIIMS Chamiyana on whether the construction of the Diagnostic Block, halted earlier due to fund constraints, had resumed after the release of ₹23.80 crore in March 2025 to the executing agency HSCC India Ltd.

The matter will be heard next on June 18, 2025, with compliance affidavits to be filed by the concerned departments including HPSEBL, the Forest Department, NHAI, HRTC, and the Chief Secretary.

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Himachalscape bureau

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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.

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Himachalscape bureau

The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.