Himachal HC pulls up government over inadequate police deployment on NH-5

The Himachal Pradesh high court has strongly criticised the state government for failing to deploy enough police personnel along National Highway-5 in Solan district. The court said that the government cannot ignore the safety of people using one of the busiest highways in the state.

The matter came before the division bench of Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma after the court took suo moto notice of a letter sent by Gram Sudhar Sabha, Koti. The letter highlighted the frequent violations of noise and liquor laws in the Jabli area, a busy stretch on NH-5.

Court questions state’s lack of action

During the hearings, the court was informed that the superintendent of police (SP), Solan, had admitted to a shortage of manpower. He said this shortage made it difficult to provide round-the-clock monitoring, especially during weekends and festive seasons when traffic and violations rise.

The division bench, however, expressed its disappointment over the government’s repeated inaction. It observed that despite several recommendations by the director general of police (DGP), the state government had failed to strengthen cadre positions at key police stations such as Parwanoo and Dharampur. These two police stations cover some of the busiest stretches of the highway.

The judges remarked, “The state must wake up from its deep slumber and realise the importance of posting the requisite number of police officials on the most important highway of the state.”

The bench also said that the government’s careless attitude was making the situation worse, and it was time to act on the suggestions made by the state police.

DGP’s repeated requests ignored

The court noted that since 2023, the DGP had written several times to the government, asking for more cadre strength at Parwanoo and Dharampur. Despite this, the number of sanctioned posts at these police stations had not been revised since the formation of the district.

The DGP pointed out that the staff shortage was badly affecting monitoring and enforcement of law, especially against violations of liquor and noise rules. These violations, the court noted, have been rampant in the Jabli area, causing trouble for residents as well as commuters.

While the government had earlier delayed decisions, citing the need for the finance department’s approval, the court was told that a proposal to create 43 additional posts was still under consideration. The bench, however, made it clear that such delays were no longer acceptable.

In its order, the court disposed of the matter but directed the state to act quickly on the DGP’s recommendations and strengthen the police presence on NH-5. The judges said that the state must not drag its feet any further and must take immediate steps to ensure that sufficient personnel are deployed for round-the-clock monitoring.

Why the issue matters

National Highway-5 is one of the most important roadways in Himachal Pradesh. It connects major districts and sees heavy movement of both private and commercial vehicles every day. The Solan stretch, which includes areas like Parwanoo, Dharampur, and Jabli, is particularly busy.

Because of the heavy traffic, this stretch often witnesses cases of reckless driving, noise from modified vehicles, and liquor-related violations. Local residents had raised these concerns for a long time, which finally reached the court through the letter sent by Gram Sudhar Sabha, Koti.

The court’s strong remarks underline the seriousness of the issue. A shortage of police staff not only makes it difficult to enforce laws but also puts commuters’ safety at risk. The court said that the government could no longer ignore these risks.

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Next steps for the government

Now that the high court has closed the case with clear directions, it is up to the state government to act. Strengthening police deployment on NH-5 will likely require creating new posts and ensuring funds are allocated for them.

The order also serves as a reminder that delays in decisions, especially when public safety is at stake, cannot be justified. The finance department has been asked to consider the proposal for 43 new posts, but the court’s order makes it clear that further delay will not be acceptable.

For the people of Solan district and thousands of commuters who use NH-5 daily, the hope is that the state will act quickly and make the highway safer. The court’s intervention has once again highlighted how public complaints, when ignored by authorities, can reach the judiciary and force corrective action.