Four-laning of NH blocks access to houses in Solan

Tribune News Service

Solan, September 21

Construction of a retaining wall by GR Infraprojects, a private company four-laning the Solan section of national highway(NH)-05, has blocked access to five families residing along the Saproon bypass in Solan town.

Not only have the steps leading to the five houses from the highway been demolished but no access has been provided to the families ever since the demolition took place about a year and a half ago. The steps had been constructed by the local municipal committee.

“We are forced to use a kutcha narrow path to reach our houses. Rains have posed an additional problem with the slush and mud making it difficult for the elderly and children. Two children sustained injuries when they slipped on a “kutcha path”, informed Rashme Sehgal, a senior citizen who demanded an alternate path.

“Even water pipes laid by the residents were broken and each family had to spend thousands on re-laying these. It is lamentable that the authorities have turned a blind eye to their genuine problem,” added Sehgal.

Echoing similar sentiments, another resident Naresh Kumar said, “Despite requesting the authorities no solution has been found to this problem and we are left to fend for ourselves.”

The residents had even offered their land for constructing steps which would ease the problem but nothing has been done.

Deputy Commissioner, Solan, KC Chaman, when contacted, said the officials of the National Highways Authority of India had been directed to provide an alternative access to the families. The SDM Solan and the staff of the GR Infraprojects visited the site today. GR Infraprojects project in-charge Balwinder Singh said they have provided space to the residents to construct their staircase. The residents, instead, want them to construct it.