Shimla, Aug 28: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has pulled up a contractor for failing to complete the construction of the Community Health Centre (CHC) at Kupvi in Chopal, Shimla district, despite a delay of more than five years.
The court noted that the project, awarded in February 2018 and due for completion by February 2020, is still pending, leaving residents of the backward area deprived of basic health services.
During the hearing of a public interest litigation (PIL) filed by Pradeep Kumar, the court was informed that the Public Works Department had already imposed a penalty of 10% — amounting to ₹18.06 lakh — on the contractor under Clause 3 of the contract agreement.
High Court recommended to terminate the contract and recover liquidated damages from the firm.
The contractor’s counsel pleaded that the COVID-19 pandemic caused delays, but Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Ranjan Sharma rejected the explanation, observing that more than three and a half years had passed since the pandemic.
The contractor has now assured the court that the pending work will be completed within two months.
The bench made it clear that if the deadline is not met, the State must terminate the contract and engage a new contractor to finish the CHC building at Kupvi.
The court also directed the government to take necessary steps to post adequate medical staff in the area, emphasizing that people had been suffering due to the prolonged delay.
The matter will be heard again on October 29, 2025.
Recommendation: Use this version for publication as it highlights the court’s strong stance, the plight of residents, and the accountability fixed on the contractor.