Shimla airport road encroachments: High Court questions PWD, orders status report
Shimla, Aug 16,
The Himachal Pradesh High court has taken a suo moto cognizance of alleged encroachments and unauthorised constructions along the Shimla- Jubberhatti airport road, remarking that the Public Welfare Department (PWD) has been ‘turning a blind eye’ to the issue.
A division bench led by Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma, in its order dated August 11, 2025, directed the State Government and PWD to file a comprehensive status report. The Court has asked authorities to provide a complete list of encroachments and detail what action has been initiated against illegal structures.
The bench has also sought clarity on the minimum permissible construction distance from the road centreline, specifically for private landowners who hold access rights along the airport road.
Local complaints before the Court point to worsening conditions near Totu, where vehicles remain parked on both sides of the road, and construction materials are often dumped directly on the carriageway. Residents allege that poor maintenance has narrowed the road, while repeated landslides, overflowing drains, and muck deposits continue to obstruct smooth traffic flow.
The Court observed that despite visible problems, no effective steps appear to have been taken by the concerned department. The matter is now listed for further hearing on September 19, 2025.
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