Kotli residents protest tardy road construction

Angry over the sluggish pace of road construction, residents of Kotli staged a massive protest on the Mandi- Kotli-Dharampur- Hamirpur-Jalandhar highway in Mandi district on Friday. The protesters blocked traffic and raised slogans against the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the construction company engaged in the project between Mandi and Kotli.

The demonstrators, including local leaders and residents such as Ravi Sen, Anupama Singh, Seema Devi and Lalit Pathania, expressed serious concern over the delays in the roadwork. They alleged that the construction on the Mandi-Kotli stretch had been moving at a snail’s pace, causing immense inconvenience to commuters and residents alike.

“The road has practically turned into a dumping site,” said Anupama Singh. “During summer, the dust makes it difficult to breathe, especially for children and the elderly. In the rainy season, the same road becomes dangerously slippery, putting lives at risk.”

The residents complained that despite several requests and repeated appeals to the authorities, no concrete action has been taken to expedite the work or improve conditions on the ground. They claimed the area continues to suffered due to administrative apathy and the negligence of the contractor.

The situation escalated when a three-member committee from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways visited the site to assess the progress. The agitated residents gheraoed the officials and expressed their resentment, demanding immediate intervention from the government.

The protesters accused both the NHAI and the construction company of ignoring public welfare and called for immediate resolution of the issue. “We are not against development, but this kind of incomplete and mismanaged work is affecting our lives daily,” said Ravi Sen.

In a stern warning, the protesters gave the authorities a two-day ultimatum to initiate a dialogue and take visible steps to address their grievances. They threatened to launch a larger protest movement, including indefinite roadblocks, if no action is taken within the stipulated time.