SHIMLA: The former deputy mayor of Shimla Tikender Singh Panwar has initiated a 24-hour hunger strike in the state capital at 2:30 PM. His demand?

The constitution of an investigative commission led by a retired Supreme Court judge to probe into the recent devastating natural disaster in Himachal Pradesh.

Pawar passionately calls for introspection and action. He asserts the necessity to evaluate Himachal Pradesh's development model in light of the ongoing catastrophe.

A commission, headed  by a retired Supreme Court judge, should dissect the current laws and policies governing the state's operations.

Pointing fingers at the National Highway Authority of India and its construction companies, Panwar demands their prosecution.

They are accountable for the construction of critical national highways like Shimla-Kalka and Kiratpur-Mandi-Manali, now severely damaged due to the disaster, he claimed.

Panwar urged  the central government to classify the disaster as a national climate crisis.

He stresses on the urgency to map the state's vulnerabilities and water contours. Such proactive measures will equip Himachal Pradesh to combat future climatic challenges, he claimed.

Furthermore, Panwar advocates for the formation of a specialized task force. “This group should focus on innovative mountain building typologies”.

 In the Himalayan urban landscape, structures which were damaged rise along water bodies, streams, and springs.

Pawar underscores the importance of robust structures, pointing out that numerous collapses occurred on water bodies or blocked culverts.

He insists on a shift from simplistic land use strategies to more geological-based zoning plans in the region's master plans.

As he leads this charge, the message is clear: Himachal Pradesh must recalibrate its strategies, respond vigorously to the disaster, and secure life of its people against the impending climate challenges that are bound to unfold in the near future.