Infra woes: Narla-Bijni stretch of Mandi-Pathankot road in shambles

Residents of villages along the Narla to Bijni stretch of the Mandi-Pathankot Super Highway in Mandi district have raised serious concerns over the deteriorating road conditions and the neglect shown by the construction company. In a written appeal to the Deputy Commissioner of Mandi, affected villagers have demanded immediate action to address multiple safety and infrastructure issues in the area.

A delegation led by HPMC Director Joginder Guleria met the Mandi ADC Gursimar Singh and submitted a memorandum in this regard. He was accompanied by area residents, including Director of Sampati Devi Memorial Nursing College, Mandi, Dr Chander Shekhar, and Hem Singh Thakur.

According to Joginder Guleria, several houses and cowsheds between Narla and Bijni have been either severely damaged or are on the verge of collapse due to ongoing highway construction. Locals are requesting proper assessments and swift compensation to the affected families, along with safety barricades around vulnerable structures to prevent further damage.

“Pre-existing village roads and concrete paths have also been destroyed or rendered unusable, leaving residents with no alternative routes. Despite the availability of heavy machinery with the construction company, delays in repairs and maintenance have made daily commuting difficult, especially for children and women during the current monsoon season” he added.

“Another alarming issue raised is the failure of the company to maintain roadside drainage systems. Damaged or clogged drains have led to water accumulation, turning parts of the road into deep, hazardous pits with no proper water discharge arrangements in place,” he remarked.

The memorandum identifies several high-risk and sensitive locations, including Labahdi, Magal, Mahachh, Pakhri, Dawared, Dang, Pali, Sahal, Kunnu, Mohakdhar and Narla. Residents insist that instead of loose soil, gravel extracted from tunnel operations should be used in repairs to ensure durability.

The villagers have urged the district administration to issue immediate directives to the construction company for repairs, compensation, and the restoration of basic infrastructure to avoid potential disasters in the coming days.