Shimla, May 20 -- The state cabinet on Monday approved amendments to the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Rules, 2014, allowing to restrict construction of buildings on the valley side of the national highway within the Shimla municipal corporation (MC) limits, officials said.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla on Monday.

Sharing details, parliamentary affairs minister Harshvardhan Chauhan said that according to the new provision, constructions must be at least a metre below road level. He said the decision is aimed at preserving the valley's aesthetic appeal.

The cabinet also decided to bring the adjoining forest area of Mata Tara Devi Temple in Shimla district ...