HC bans hoardings in Shimla heritage zone

SHIMLA: In a highly significant move, Himachal Pradesh High Court on Tuesday banned all kinds of hoardings in Shimla's heritage zone. The court ordered Municipal Corporation, Shimla to forthwith remove the hoardings and advertisements displayed from the Rashtrapati Bhawan to Chhota Shimla.

The MC Shimla has also been strictly told to report the compliance of the Court's order within 24 hours.

A Division Bench comprising Justice Tarlok Singh Chauhan and Justice Chander Bhusan Barowalia, passed the orders on a petition filed by one Anil Kumar, a native of Shimla.

The petitioner has alleged that BJP had displayed its hoardings from the Rashtrapati Bhawan to Chhota Shimla, including the Ridge and Mall Road Mall Road. He pointed out that more than 50 hoardings have been installed/displayed on this heritage zone.

The petitioner informed the court that permission for government hoarding has been given erroneously as the size of government hoardings was more than prescribed.