Drainage mars highway linking Harike to Tarn Taran stretch

Tarn Taran, July 23

Negligence on the part of district administration and National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has resulted in the problem of drainage of water on the Tarn Taran-Harike stretch of the national highway (NH) not being resolved. As a result, the project faces a serious threat though it came into existence just eight years back.

Since the draining out of water was faulty since the project’s inception, the problem of stagnant water had surfaced on the NH but today’s rain made the condition worse. Just an hour of rain and water accumulated outside the District Administrative Complex (DAC), causing inconvenience to the commuters and officials too. Sukhwinder Singh Chutala, state leader of Kisan Mazdoor Sangharsh Committee, Punjab, said here on Tuesday that the authorities failed to assess the drainage system correctly. As a result, filthy water accumulates on both sides of national highway from Tarn Taran to Harike, a stretch of 35 kilometres. He said at certain points near Aladinpur, Piddi, Sheron, Usman, Naushehra Pannuan and other villages, the stagnant water crosses from one side to the other of the NH. He said it was causing damage to the highway and at certain points the highway has been broken though it was meant to face all these challenges.

When contacted, Additional Deputy Commissioner Varinderpal Singh said he would get it checked.