Himachal Diary: Fourlane Parwanoo-Solan highway or a parking lot?

Notwithstanding court directions to ensure that vehicles were not parked along the highways, the newly fourlaned Parwanoo-Solan highway has virtually become a parking lot. Situation is especially grim from Deonghat to Kandaghat where vehicles are parked on both sides and the road width, at places, has again been reduced to a double lane carriageway. As there is no provision of parking lots and bus stands at various urban habitations even private buses use highway for parking. The pace at which the highway is being encroached upon for parking, it seems the very purpose of four-laning has been defeated.

Crowds don’t always indicate popularity

In the wake of the massive rally of Prime Minister Narendra Modi at Mandi on completion of four years of BJP government in office in the state on December 27, BJP president Suresh Kashyap was quick to comment that the presence of huge crowds indicated that the people have endorsed the policy, programmes and performance of the state government. People are now asking why the BJP lost four by-elections, if the people are so happy. More so when the BJP had contested the elections on the plank of development. Crowds at public meetings are no indication of popular support of the party and the BJP leaders should come out of illusion, said a politician.

Leadership crisis

After the demise of former minister GS Bali there was a leadership crisis in Congress in Kangra district. Some young Congress leaders were urged to take up the mantle of Congress leadership in the district. However, none of them has come forward to shoulder the responsibility. According to inside political circles, young Congress leaders were not too enthusiastic. They would stay in their constituencies rather than trying to be district leaders.

Blessing in disguise

The bomb blast threat at Ridge Ground in Shimla on the New Year eve created commotion and holiday mood of tourists was spoilt as they were asked to disperse immediately. However, it proved a blessing in disguise for women folk who generally avoid coming to Ridge as rowdy crowds and inebriated drunkards create nuisance. With heavy deployment of police on the Ridge and Mall Road, women felt fully secured as they moved freely under security cover.

Contributed by Bhanu Lohumi, Ambika Sharma, Lalit Mohan

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