Pathankot-Mandi road suffers from lack of funds

Our Correspondent

Palampur, November 27

The 220-km Pathankot-Mandi National Highway, considered a lifeline of 40 lakh residents of the northern region of Himachal Pradesh, is in a state of neglect as the union government has failed to release funds for its maintenance. During this period the condition of the highway has gone from bad to worse.

Over 50 major and small bridges on this highway have outlived their utility and are on the verge of collapse. No serious effort has either been made to repair the road or to construct new bridges.

The NH is one of the most significant roads of the country. It links Pathankot with Leh via Manali. After the disturbed conditions in Jammu and Kashmir this road has gathered added importance because of the fact that the Army authorities are using it for moving supplies and forces to Leh and other boarder areas.

At present, the condition of the highway is pathetic. This road was declared a national highway in 1987 keeping in view the defence requirements for supply of goods to Leh and other borders areas. However, during the past 28 years, the state PWD has failed to take any worthwhile steps to maintain the highway.

The conditions of the road between Pathankot and Kangra and Jogindernagar and Mandi has gone from bad to worse in past five years as state public works department has no funds to spend on its maintenance. The approaches of bridges and retaining wall at various points have collapsed.

After the Kargil war this road has assumed more significance. The Ministry of Defense considers this road as the safest route for carrying army supplies and other heavy defence equipment to border areas as Srinagar –Leh highway falls within the firing range of Pakistan Army. During the Kargil war this road had proved a boon to the nation as entire supplies, including heavy equipment and tanks to Leh, Kargil Ladakh and other border areas, were carried through this route.