NHAI okays construction of underpass

Parveen Arora

Tribune News Service

Karnal, December 9

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has given its consent for construction of an underpass near Kambohpura village on the NH-44. Now, the ball is in the court of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways, as the final approval rests with it. If the project is approved, it will bring a major relief to residents of over 10 villages living along the National Highway 44.

At present, there is a pedestrian underpass near Kambopura, but it has not been maintained properly. The area is covered with wild grass and during the rainy season, it gets submerged, as it is situated in a low-lying area. Thus, it leaves people with no option except to cross the NH-44 while jeopardising their lives by climbing over the dividers. The act of crossing over the highway has claimed the lives of many.

“The matter has been taken up with the NHAI for construction of a vehicular underpass at NH-44 near Radha Soami Satsang Bhawan at Kambohpura. Preliminary survey of feasibility has been done in consideration of the road safety guidelines. The administration had been pursuing the matter with the NHAI,” said Deputy Commissioner Vinay Pratap Singh.

A technical team of the NHAI visited the site last week and gave its consent for technical feasibility. The underpass would be constructed at a cost of Rs13 crore, said Dalel Singh Dahiya, XEN, PWD, (B&R), who was also one of the members of the inspection team. Yogesh Chandra, project director, NHAI, Ambala, said it was a demand of the residents and the project was at a preliminary stage.

The construction of underpass is a long-pending demand of the residents of Kambohpura, Bajida, Daha, Madanpur, Madhuban, Uncha Samana and other villages. They raised the demand when the project of widening of the Panipat-Jalandhar national highway in 2009 was under way, but in vain.

“It is a long-pending demand of the residents. We have raised the issue at various platforms, but to no avail. Local MLA Harvinder Kalyan has considered our demand and it is due to his efforts, the underpass will be constructed. After the construction, people need not to cross the national highway and risk their lives,” said Manju, a resident of Bajida village.

“I raised the demand to Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar as well as the NHAI authorities. With the CM’s efforts, the demand is going to be fulfilled. I have also discussed the matter with MP Sanjay Bhatia for a speedy approval from the Union Ministry. I am hopeful the final approval will come soon and the underpass will be constructed,” said Gharaunda MLA Harvinder Kalyan.

RELIEF IN THE OFFING

At present, there is a pedestrian underpass near Kambopura, but it has not been  maintained properly. The area is covered with wild grass and during the rainy  season, it gets submerged, as it is situated in a low-lying area. Thus,  it leaves people with no option except to cross the NH-44 while jeopardising their lives by  climbing over the dividers.

Long-pending demand of residents

It is a long-pending demand of the residents. We have raised the issue at various platforms, but to no avail. Local MLA Harvinder Kalyan has considered our demand and it is due to his efforts, the underpass will be constructed. Manju, resident of bajida village