Shoddy Uttarkashi road carpeting poses danger

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, April 26

The shoddy carpeting being done on the Nagun-Bhavan-Uttarkashi Road at an estimated cost of Rs 18.61 crore, due to the apathy of the PWD, is posing danger to the lives of commuters.

Residents of Chinyali Saud are also irked by the delay in carpeting from Chinyali Saud to Moriana Top and are of the view that if the work is not done soon, it could result in a major accident due to the dilapidated condition of the road.

The Nagun-Bhavan-Uttarkashi Road has emerged as a lifeline for the pilgrims heading towards Gangotri shrine in Uttarkashi from Dehradun. The distance to Uttarkashi is now less due to the construction of the road, widely being used by the residents and pilgrims alike, but the road has begun wearing out despite the fresh re-carpeting work being done here.

The freshly re-carpeted road is wearing out within hours of it being laid out and is posing risk to the commuters, especially those riding two-wheelers, who have reportedly slipped owing to the road condition.

Dinesh, a resident of Chinyali Saud, said the road from Chinyali Saud to Moriana Top is yet to be re-carpeted and is in a dilapidated condition at most of the places. The road widening work is moving on at snail’s pace and boulders are spread on the road, posing a threat to commuters.

Dineshsaid the apathy shown by the PWD towards such an important road that links Dehradun to Uttarkashi was unfortunate. Surendar from Uttarkashi said the distance to Uttarkashi from Dehradun had shortened by 71 km due to the Nagun-Bhavaan-Uttarkashi Road, but the neglect shown by the PWD is evident from the fact that the fresh coal tar being laid on the road has started peeling off, much to the disgust of the commuters.

PWD Executive Engineer, Thatyur division, NS Kholia, said the coal tar needs at least 48 hours to settle down, but as the road is busy, material is peeling off at a few places. Kholia said he had directed the contractor to maintain high standards while relaying the road. He said the work on the road from Chinyali Saud to Moriana Top would be complete by June 30, leaving no room for any complaint.