By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: Acharya Devvrat, Governor of Himachal Pradesh will inaugurate awareness campaign for protection, conservation and cleanliness of Kalka Shimla Railway Track on 12th May, 2018. The Governor will lead the cleanliness drive along the railway track from Bhalku Museum near old bus stand to railway station, Shimla covering a distance of more than 800 metres on foot to create awareness about protection and preservation of Kalka-Shimla railway track.
Simultaneously, walk along the railway track will be organised in 43 sections identified on the entire length of the Kalka-Shimla railway track falling in the State.
A meeting between officers of H.P. State Legal Services Authority and various stakeholders was held here to finalize the preparations for the launch of awareness drive for protection, conservation and cleanliness of Kalka-Shimla railway track which was chaired by the Acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court and Executive Chairman of the Authority Justice Sanjay Karol in the presence of Justice Ajay Mohan Goel, Judge of Himachal Pradesh High Court.
The meeting was attended by Advocate General, Assistant Solicitor General of India, various heads of departments and officers of state government, officers from Army and Railways, President, Bar Council of Himachal Pradesh besides others.
Speaking on the occasion Justice Sanjay Karol emphasised on preservation and cleanliness of Kalka-Shimla railway track, which was an UNESCO World Heritage Site. He said that it was important to sensitize the younger generations about their heritage. He said that children need to be associated in social activities in a big way to create awareness in the society as they were the real ambassadors.
Justice Sanjay Karol said that the drive, besides providing cleanliness on the track would help in sensitising people about protection and preservation of environment and ecology in general and Kalka-Shimla railway track in particular. He said that cleanliness, beautification, forestation and soil conservation measures in the area of Kalka-Shimla railway track would add to its attraction and glory.
The Kalka-Shimla railway track has been divided into 43 sections of around 2 km each for conducting the walk along the track out of which 32 sections covering a length of 67 km fall in Solan district and 11 segments covering a length of 23 km fall in Shimla district. Accordingly, 43 groups of students and other participants have been formed who will collect litter and waste as they walk along the track in their specified sections.
Group In-charge of all the 43 sections have been nominated for smooth and safe conduct of the cleanliness drive along the track. Besides students, PRI representatives, Lawyers, NGOs, Mahila Mandals, Yuvak Mandals, clubs, MCs, transport unions etc have also been involved for the cleanliness of the track. Safety precautions are being taken.
For taking special care during the cleanliness campaign teams from Police, Health, Forest, Education, IPH, Railways, Territorial Army have also been deployed. The participants will not cross tunnels, bridges and track during the cleanliness campaign along the railway track.
The awareness campaign is being organised under the auspices of the H.P. State Legal Services Authority under the guidance of the Acting Chief Justice of Himachal Pradesh High Court and Executive Chairman of the Authority Justice Sanjay Karol.
About 8000 people from all walks of life, including more than 5000 students from government and private institutions mostly falling in the near vicinity of the track, will participate in the cleanliness drive.
