Delay in power line shifting stalls Baddi-Nalagarh highway four-laning

The delay in shifting high-tension electricity lines and other electrical infrastructure from the Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh National Highway-105 has inordinately hampered the four-laning project, which was already running behind schedule.

Construction of two bridges, one near the Annapurna eatery and the other at Marrawala in Haryana, has been stalled due to the pending relocation of these high-tension lines. Additionally, staff from the Himachal Pradesh State Electricity Board Limited (HPSEBL) is facing challenges in undertaking the augmentation or enhancement of its infrastructure as the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), which is overseeing the project, has been unable to expedite the contractor’s work, an official said.

“The onus of shifting the two power lines lies with the Haryana Government and the HP Power Corporation Limited. Although the NHAI deposited funds worth several crores with them around three to four months ago for the task, the work was yet to begin. While tenders have been invited, it will take another six months to complete the relocation once contracts are awarded,” said Anand Dahiya, Project Director, NHAI, Shimla.

He acknowledged that the completion of the four-laning project will be further delayed due to the ongoing issues with the shifting of high-tension lines and associated power infrastructure.

The under-construction highway has become a major inconvenience for daily commuters and the local industry, as the available road space is inadequate to accommodate the daily vehicular traffic. Being a key industrial hub of the state, the region witnesses an influx of more than 20,000 vehicles each day.

The project is being executed by Gujarat-based Patel Infrastructure Limited and the NHAI has already granted several deadline extensions to the company. Initially launched in April 2022, the project was slated for completion by September 2024. However, due to numerous obstacles, even the extended deadlines are now in jeopardy.

So far, only 38 per cent of the financial progress and 35 per cent of the physical target has been achieved in the stipulated 30-month period, indicating that the project is significantly behind schedule. The decision to award the project at a 37 per cent discounted rate to the private contractor has backfired, leading to severe delays owing to funding constraints.

Rajiv Aggarwal, president of the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh Industries Association, has called for the early completion of the project, adding that the industry was facing numerous hardships owing to the delay.