HP withdraws appeal in HC against Himalayan Ski Village

SHIMLA: Removing yet another hurdle in implementation of multi-billion dollar Himalayan Ski Village project in Kullu, Himachal government today withdrew its appeal against the single bench verdict quashing the show- cause notice issued by it to the promoters in June last year.

The government withdrew the appeal pending in the court of Chief Justice A M Khanwilkar and Justice R B Misra against the promoters of Himalayan Ski Village, Advocate General Shrawan Dogra said.

The project is being promoted by Alfred Ford of the Ford Motor Company near Manali in Kullu district of Himachal Pradesh.

"The ball is now in the court of the promoters and they have to decide whether to go ahead with the project or not," Chief Secretary S Roy said.

While quashing the show-cause notice issued by the state to the promoters, the high court had last year directed the company to obtain the necessary clearances, including environmental, within six months.

But the then BJP government subsequently moved the appeal citing another HC judgement that banned construction activity in the Kullu-Manali region on grounds that the area fell in eco-sensitive zone.

The present Congress government has already clarified that the company could go ahead with the project, provided it gets fresh clearances, including the environment impact assessment report.

The Himalayan Ski Village project envisaged building world class ski area and construction of five-star hotel chalets with an investment of Rs 1,581 crore.