NHAI to repair roads by Nov 20

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, October 19

The National Highways Authority of India has decided to complete repairs falling under its jurisdiction all over the state by November 20.

Talking to this correspondent, G S Sanga, Regional Head, NHAI, said as per schedule all roads would be repaired by November 20 in the state. After this, no pothole would be seen in the roads.

He said because of heavy rains the NHAI highways, including Kiratpur- Manali, Pathankot Mandi and Shimla-Kalka, had suffered extensive damage. It would take more than a month to repair these roads. He said men and machinery of the NHAI were already on the job and he was supervising the progress from his project officers posted at Palampur, Hamirpur Mandi and Shimla. He said there was no shortage of funds and the NHAI had already awarded the work to contractors for its completion in a time-bound manner. He categorically stated that if any work was delayed contractors would face heavy penalties as per norms.

In reply to a question he said the land acquisition process for the Pathankot- Mandi and the Kangra-Shimla fourlane projects was in progress. The first phase of both the projects between Kangra and Jwalamukhi and Pathankot- 32 Miles is in final stage and its bid would be opened soon.

He said his officers were in touch with revenue agencies involved in land acquisition. Besides, he was also monitoring the public grievances regarding the lands were being acquired. Sanga said efforts had been made to avoid dismantling of public property. Therefore, in major towns bypasses and flyovers had been proposed.