NH not repaired despite CM’s directions

Mahesh Chander Sharma

Sundernagar, May 23

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has not yet started any repair work on different patches on National Highway 21, making for a length of 15 km (from where the four-laned road would pass) between Bhawana and Dadour despite directions issued to it by the Chief Minister.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh toured different Assembly segments in Mandi district in the first week of April. On seeing the bad condition of National Highway 21, he issued a warning and directed NHAI and PWD authorities to immediately start repair work on the national highway. He further said budgetary provision had already been made for this purpose.

As a result of warning issued by the Chief Minister, the repair work was started at various places on the National Highway, but when the Chief Minister’s tour concluded, the work was stopped.

Upon inquiries made by this correspondent, it was revealed by the authorities that the patch work was started by PWD authorities at different places between Mandi and Slapper after directions of the Chief Minister. It was further stated that two patches of National Highway 21 from Bhawana to Pungh and Naulakha to Dadour, making for length of nearly 15 km, from where the four-laned road would pass, was to be repaired by the NHAI exclusively, which has not been repaired at all till now.

One can see vehicles moving at snail’s pace between these two patches of National Highway 21, which were full of big potholes. Vehicles can be seen moving in a zigzag manner in order to avoid potholes which sometimes result in an accident. Most vehicle owners complain that the wear and tear of their vehicles has increased manifold due to the bad condition of roads.

During the visit of Union Health Minister JP Nadda to Mandi district, he said the condition of the road would be improved soon, but it seems the NHAI did not care for anyone and travelling on the National Highway-21 has become pathetic. Thousands of tourists who happen to travel through the damaged road up to Manali used to change their route during return journey in order to avoid inconvenience.

According to a large number of tourists, even the journey on village roads is much better in comparison to the National Highway between Bhawana and Dadour.

Sanjeev, a representative of NHAI, said the repair work would start soon.