Jia-Ramshila stretch on Kullu NH faces neglect
Abhinav Vashish
Kullu, November 3
The four-laning of the 10-km stretch between Jia and Ramshila on the Bhuntar-Kullu national highway has become a nuisance for the commuters as the work has not been completed even after about four years.
The work was being carried out by contractors of the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI).
Excavation rendered houses vulnerable
- The construction work was hampered because residents of the Deodhar village resented excavation of the hills as it made their houses vulnerable to collapse.
- Residents of Chauki Dobhi in Kharal valley also protested the unscientific excavation due to which the threat of landslide was imminent.
The construction work was hampered because residents of the Deodhar village resented excavation of the hills as it made their houses vulnerable to collapse. Some houses were damaged and many had developed cracks. Residents whose houses are located along the road have demanded that the path to the villages, damaged due to the excavation, be restored. Residents of Chauki Dobhi in Kharal valley also protested the unscientific excavation due to which the threat of landslide was imminent.
Meanwhile, the condition of the road from Shangri Bagh to Akhara Bazar is very poor. The traffic coming from Manali to Kullu is diverted from Gammon bridge at Ramshila through this road and commuters face a harrowing time crossing the slushy road. The condition worsens during rains and the road caves in at many spots. People alleged that contractors were carrying out the work at snail’s pace, causing undue hassles to the commuters.
The NHAI contractors were constructing concrete retaining walls at various places from Bhootnath bridge at Sarwari to Gammon bridge at Ramshila. However, residents alleged that the water curing of these walls was inadequate, making them vulnerable to collapsing or sinking within a short span. So, the retaining walls would be a waste of public money and create hassles for the commuters in the future, they rued.
Naveen Mishra, NHAI project director, said due to various factors, like shifting of electrical wires and revenue anomalies due to the topography of the area, the procurement of land was delayed. Adequate curing of the retaining walls would be ensured and the road would be completed within the next three to four months, he added.
