Building Regulations to be Stricter in Himachal Pradesh – Geological Report and Solid Land Mandatory
Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh government is preparing to implement stricter building regulations throughout the state. A geological (geologist's) report and construction on stable land will now be mandatory for any new building. A cabinet sub-committee formed for disaster management has submitted its recommendations, which will be discussed in the upcoming cabinet meeting.
Districts like Mandi, Kullu, Una, and Shimla faced massive destruction this year due to natural disasters. The government has so far estimated losses worth ₹2,347 crore. Unplanned and unscientific construction is a growing concern, with many people building homes without consulting structural engineers, leading to safety hazards.
The state had earlier mandated a safe distance from rivers and streams for government buildings, a rule now extended to private constructions as well. Repeated natural disasters since 2023 have pushed the government to take stricter preventive steps.
PWD to Purchase Bailey Bridges and Reconstruct Damaged Structures
The Public Works Department (PWD) has received ₹30 crore from the central government to install 38 Bailey bridges and construct RCC bridges in disaster-hit regions including Mandi, Shimla, Kullu, Kinnaur, and Una.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh confirmed that 21 bridges have collapsed this year. Instructions have been given to develop alternative routes and repair roads in apple-rich regions. Machinery like bulldozers and JCBs have been deployed, and daily progress reports are being submitted to the state government.
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