Though over a year has passed, the Srinagar division of the National Highway Authority of India has not taken any action against the encroachment of the National Highway by the Pauri Nagar Palika Parishad. Notably, parts of NH have been encroached by the civic body to facilitate the construction of the bus station. Asked for comment, Uttarakhand chief engineer National Highway Authority of India Hari Om Sharma said they would not brook any kind of encroachment of the National Highway. He said he would direct the executive engineer, Srinagar division, to take proper action.
However, Pauri Nagar Palika Parishad remains adamant on carryon on with the unauthorized construction that encroaches parts of the National Highway. This despite the notice sent by the Srinagar division of NHAI and sub-divisional magistrate to stop it.
It is learnt that the civic board is planning to construct a few shops in the area wedged between Kotdwar- Pauri-Srinagar National Highway and the Mall Road under the preview of Public Works Department’s provincial division Pauri. Two shops have been running in the National Highway just in front of the under-construction bus station. However, the Srinagar National Highway division has its eyes closed on the encroachment.
Sharma told The Pioneer that all the encroachment coming along the highway falling under the jurisdiction of the Srinagar division will be demolished. Asked why no action has been taken against the encroachment so far, he said that the executive engineer Srinagar division will be directed to look into the matter and take action against the violators and to demolish the unauthorized construction.
The people are of the view that things are going on for over a year with connivance of the Srinagar division of National Highway Authority of India and the district administration.