Constructions scar 10-km Kasauli stretch

Ambika Sharma

Tribune News Service

Solan, January 10

The Dharampur-Kasauli road has suffered a considerable damage. Thanks to the reckless construction work going on both sides.

The road is full of potholes making it difficult for commuters to drive. Motorists are facing a harrowing time as their vehicles suffer severe wear and tear. Two-wheeler riders are a troubled lot owing to frequent potholes on the road giving them a bumpy ride.

Since the road leads to Kasauli, a prime tourist destination, visitors who are thronging the town from Chandigarh and its surrounding areas have a bitter experience to share.

Anil Sehgal, a tourist from Chandigarh, said: “Instead of enjoying, our journey became troublesome. This road trip has left a bitter taste of enjoying a quiet holiday in this quaint hill town."

The road condition has worsened as the field staff of the Public Works Department (PWD) too has failed in checking violations and reckless digging along the road by scores of builders who are coming up with flats and resorts in the area.

Not only culverts, but parapets too have been damaged. Even the width of the road has been narrowed at places where builders acquire a part of the road to construct their passage.

As per the norms, the acquired width of the road is supposed to be maintained but this is not being observed.

Apart from issuing cursory notices, the PWD officials have so far failed in taking any strict action and the road has suffered irreparable damage, where crores would be needed to give it a facelift.

PWD executive engineer Ashwani Gupta when contacted said all builders who have sought the no objection certificate (NOC) from the PWD have been directed to follow 18 conditions in letter and spirit which includes maintenance of drain level, no damage to parapets, maintenance of controlled width, ensure no debris was dumped along the roads among other such measures.

The field staff has been directed to check each construction site and in case any condition has been violated the power and water department would be directed to disconnect their supplies as the condition of NoCs have been violated, he said.

He said a detailed project report amounting to Rs 12 crore covering the entire stretch of 10.83 km of Dharampur-Kasauli road has been prepared and this would be sent to Director Tourism for seeking the requisite assistance against a scheme meant for roads connecting major tourist destinations.