4-laning of NH-105 stuck again as NHAI awaits cost approval

Commuters using the under-construction Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh National Highway (NH-105) will have to endure traffic misery for longer, with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) extending the bid submission date for completing the project’s pending work for the fourth time. The tendering process, earlier expected to resume today, has been pushed to December 18 as the authority awaits clearance from its executive committee.

For residents who had been anticipating progress after three successive postponements since November 17, the move has deepened frustration. The latest delay means several more weeks lost before bids can be evaluated and the work finally awarded.

Despite being the lifeline of the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh industrial belt, home to over 90 per cent of Himachal Pradesh’s industries, the four-laning work has crawled at a painfully slow pace. The highway remains riddled with incomplete stretches, absent service lanes, haphazard markings, potholes and uneven surfaces. Daily commuters continue to navigate some of the worst traffic bottlenecks in the region.

Project Director Anand Dahiya confirmed the fresh postponement, citing the pending approval of the enhanced project cost, now pegged at Rs 670 crore, up from the earlier estimate of Rs 556 crore.

The project has been limping since Gujarat-based Patel Infrastructure Limited abandoned it midway after completing only about 45 per cent of the work in 39 months. Officials say despite clear deficiencies and poor workmanship, the NHAI could not levy penalties due to legal limitations. In a move that has baffled residents, the company has also not been debarred from bidding again.

Launched in April 2022, the project was originally slated for completion by September 2024. With multiple extensions behind it, all that has accumulated are delays and escalating expenses. Of the Rs 774.78 crore spent so far, Rs 305 crore has gone into land acquisition and Rs 469 crore into construction.

Meanwhile, the half-finished corridor struggles under the weight of over 20,000 vehicles daily. Of the 34.5-km stretch, 17.37 km lies in Himachal Pradesh and the remaining in Haryana.