Dharamsala’s smart city dreams marred by frequent road digging

Despite being declared a Smart City in 2016, Dharamsala continues to struggle with frequent road digging, causing traffic congestion, infrastructure damage, and inconvenience to residents and commuters. The lack of long-term planning and coordination among government agencies exacerbates the issue, leading to repeated disruptions.

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Recently repaired roads ahead of the Assembly Session have been dug up again within just two weeks. JCB machines were seen excavating on Chilgari Road and the main route to Palampur, while the road near the cricket stadium has been repeatedly excavated, causing significant damage to protective walls and crash barriers built at substantial costs.

The digging near Prayas Bhawan and the Palampur road is reportedly a deposit work worth Rs 20 lakh for Airtel. Executive Engineer Ankaj Sood stated that the company has been instructed to dig and fill only 200 meters at a time, following the Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) that permits manual digging and prohibits JCB machines. However, compliance appears to be lacking.

Residents have expressed frustration on social media, calling the repetitive excavation wasteful and disruptive. “Dharamsala’s roads are perpetually wounded,” lamented Shailender, a local resident. “Every time one pipe is laid, another service provider comes along to dig again for a different one. Is this what Smart City planning looks like?”

Adding to the chaos, large stones left on main roads during peak tourist season caused accidents and inconvenience. “It’s disheartening to see no accountability during such critical times,” said a retired Army officer.

The current state of Dharamsala’s roads reflects a pressing need for better coordination, durable solutions, and adherence to standard protocols. Residents and visitors alike hope for a long-term plan to resolve this persistent issue and restore the city’s promise of being truly “smart.”