Hill cutting for 4-lane highway sparks safety fears in Nurpur

Residents of Ward No. 2, including those living in the Housing Board Colony and along the Nurpur-Chinva link road, have been spending sleepless nights over the past few months as extensive hill cutting for the ongoing Pathankot-Mandi four-lane highway project continues unchecked near their homes.

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As part of the project, a bypass road from Bodh to Khushinagar is being constructed, passing through the Chinva link road, near the Government Industrial Training Institute (ITI), Nurpur. However, residents fear that rainwater and debris from the excavation site may enter their houses during the monsoon, threatening lives and property.

Currently, a kucha bypass road is being carved out just 500m from the Housing Board Colony, where mechanical machinery is being used to cut through the hillside. Even light rain showers are turning the soil marshy, leaving locals dreading the inevitable waterlogging and landslips during the upcoming rainy season. The Nurpur-Chinva link road is not only vital for vehicles but also heavily used by pedestrians and daily commuters, whose safety now hangs in the balance.

Several residents have voiced their concerns. Kewal Krishan, a local, stated that landslides and blocked drains have become routine during monsoons in the area. Shanker Dass, another resident of Ward No. 2, recalled the chaos during last year’s monsoon, when construction activity led to severe waterlogging and road closures. Similarly, Jagdish Kumar warned that slippery, marshy soil and debris near homes and roadways will likely make movement hazardous in the days ahead.

Sanjiv Sahotra, Principal of Government ITI Nurpur, expressed concern over the safety of students and pedestrians using the Chinva road. He said he had already apprised NHAI officials, urging them to take immediate measures to avoid any untoward incidents during the rainy season.

Responding to the situation, RS Verma, Executive Officer of the Nurpur Municipal Council, confirmed that the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and its construction firm have been directed to implement precautionary measures. These include steps to prevent waterlogging and debris flow from reaching residential areas and ensuring safety along the Housing Board Colony-ITI road stretch.

The concerns of Nurpur’s residents highlight the urgent need for preemptive planning and responsible construction practices to avoid turning infrastructure development into a public hazard.