Why proposed heritage site damaged, asks Himachal court

December 21st, 2011 - 11:55 am ICT by IANS  

Shimla, Dec 21 (IANS) Concerned over the damage to a railway bridge, once proposed to be declared a UNESCO heritage site, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has summoned officials of this hill state and neighbouring Punjab.

A division bench comprising Chief Justice Kurian Joseph and Justice D.D. Sud Tuesday summoned the deputy commissioners of Kangra and Pathankot, Punjab, and senior divisional security commandant of the Northern Railways to be present in the court Dec 28.

The 83-year-old railway bridge on the Chakki rivulet in Himachal was washed away due to flashfloods in August. The bridge, which provides connectivity to narrow-gauge trains on Pathankot-Joginder Nagar rail segment, is still under repair.

The court directed the deputy commissioner of Pathankot to file an affidavit on the problem and suggestions with regard to damage of the bridge.

Earlier in its reply, the Northern Railways said the bridge collapsed due to unscientific mining in the Chakki stream in Pathankot and Kangra districts.

The bridge was constructed by the British in 1928 when the Sanan hydel project in Jogindernagar was set up. It’s the only bridge connecting Pathankot and the Kangra Valley.

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