Indian Express 27.09.2010
Sinking Ridge : MC takes 3 weeks to prepare 22-line report
Express News Service Tags : Shimla Municipal Corporation Posted: Mon Sep 27 2010, 05:31 hrs
Shimla: Three weeks after a portion of The Ridge caved in, the technical committee of Shimla Municipal Corporation has come out with a 22-line report, suggesting ad hoc measures for protection of the sinking portion. The four-member committee headed by a superintending engineer is silent on the causes of sinking. The committee was formed by Municipal Commissioner A N Sharma on September 6, after a 40-metre stretch of The Ridge had sunk by over six feet a day before following heavy rains. It was supposed to give a report within three days.
The report now suggests providing support to the sinking area by placing empty bitumen drums filled with earth on the slope and wire crates filled with boulders to prevent further sliding and damage to retaining walls of the adjoining Padam Dev Shopping Complex. The committee states: “Since the Geological Survey of India has not given its recommendations, the committee feels long-term measures should be taken only after the report is received from them.” A senior officer of the MC said the measures suggested by the committee had already been taken on ground.
