Shimla, August 6:
The Himachal Pradesh High Court has put the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC) in the spotlight, issuing a notice over the security of the 140-year-old underground water tank located beneath the iconic Ridge.
Built during the British era, this heritage structure remains a crucial part of the city’s water supply network — and citizens have long raised concerns about its vulnerability.
The court has directed the SMC to submit a detailed status report on the safety and condition of the tank within four weeks.
The move comes after repeated public outcry over the potential risk posed by large-scale gatherings, rallies, and events regularly held on the Ridge — right above the fragile structure.
Many Shimlaites and heritage conservationists have been demanding a complete ban on such activities to prevent any irreversible damage to the colonial-era heritage zone.
While the Ridge continues to be the political and cultural nerve centre of the state capital, questions over its structural safety have gained urgency in recent years, especially as footfall and activity on the ground increase.
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