Dharampur MLA ends fast on Dy CM’s assurance

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited disaster-affected Dharampur subdivision in Mandi district today to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rain and flooding in the Son Khad area. He directed officials to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts for the affected people and ensure speedy assistance.

The Deputy CM also visited Avah Devi Chowk, where Dharampur MLA Chander Shekhar was sitting on a hunger strike for the last nine days. He was protesting against the poor quality of work and delay in construction of the Mandi-Jalandhar National Highway 3, a project under the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Agnihotri assured the protesting MLA that the issues raised by him were valid and that the state government was fully committed to resolving them. He added that the matter has already been taken up with the Central Government at the highest level.

Following the assurances MLA Chander Shekhar ended his hunger strike. The Deputy CM, along with Chief Parliamentary Secretary Kewal Singh Pathania, offered him juice to formally end the protest.

Addressing the media, Agnihotri said concerns regarding the quality and safety of the highway construction had been consistently raised by local residents and the MLA. He criticised the construction agencies for substandard work and warned that unless firm commitments on quality and timelines are received from the executing agencies, the state government may consider halting ongoing work in the affected stretch. Communication with the Union ministry and project officials is underway and the state may also demand the replacement of negligent officers, he added.

MLA Chander Shekhar expressed gratitude for the public support received during his hunger strike and reiterated his commitment to continue the fight for a permanent solution to the highway issue.

The SDM (Civil) and senior officials from relevant departments, who were present on the occasion, were instructed to closely monitor and report progress on both relief and construction matters.