Himachal CM orders relief after Shahpur residents block highway

Residents of Shahpur in Kangra district yesterday blocked the Pathankot-Mandi highway for several hours in protest against the hardships caused by the ongoing work to widen the road to four lanes.

The protesters alleged that the construction work had disrupted their lives and rainwater frequently entered their homes due to poor drainage and the road condition. The muddy and slippery conditions of the road was leading to accidents.

Local MLA Kewal Singh Pathania, along with civil and police officials, reached the spot to pacify the agitated residents. He assured the protesters that he would take up the matter with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Sukhu. The blockade was lifted on his assurance and traffic restored.

Later, Pathania met the Chief Minister in Dharamsala and apprised him of the residents’ grievances. Sukhu directed the PWD Secretary and the NHAI to provide relief to the affected residents. He also instructed the Kangra Deputy Commissioner to prepare a detailed estimate of damage caused by rain for compensation.