Despite opposition, four-lane road almost ready in Shahpur market
The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has managed to overcome a major bottleneck in the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane road project. Despite resistance from locals, the NHAI has nearly completed the stretch that passes through the Shahpur town market in Kangra district.
According to the NHAI sources, the project faced significant resistance from Shahpur residents because the four-lane road was to pass through the town’s market, which is a vital source of livelihood for hundreds of traders. However, after engaging with the affected traders and residents, the NHAI managed to convince them and many voluntarily demolished the buildings that were in the way of the road widening project.
The sources said that three temples were situated in the Shahpur town market and to address the issue, the NHAI constructed a temple through its contractor to relocate the idols from the temples that were to be demolished for the widening of the road.
Shahpur town is one of the largest areas affected by the Pathankot-Mandi road project. The NHAI had to demolish a significant portion of the market and the project faced pressure from local politicians as well. Recently, the locals had approached Kangra MP Rajiv Bharadwaj and requested him that the road’’s width be reduced to minimise the impact on the residents. However, the proposal was rejected as the NHAI had already acquired the necessary land and there was no process in place to return it to the owners.
During the winter session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly recently, Congress MLA Kewal Singh Pathania had also raised concern over the problems faced by Shahpur residents due to the road project.
However, the NHAI’s successful execution of the road through one of Kangra’’s busiest markets has expedited the project in the district.
The NHAI has faced challenges in executing the road project in Kangra district due to the linear development along the road, with many towns and markets located on the route. Additionally, influential individuals, who own land along the road, exerted pressure to resist land acquisition.
The NHAI has also awarded tenders for the widening of the road up to Paror, around 10 km from Palampur. Once completed, the four-lane road will significantly boost the economic development of Kangra and Mandi districts and improve road connectivity in the region.
