Negligence in implementation of NHAI projects will not be tolerated: Anirudh

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh today took cognizance of the incident of road subsidence at Bhattakuffer in Shimla district and said that negligence in the works being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) would not be tolerated.

The minister, while addressing the residents of Chamiana gram panchayat in the Kasumpti Assembly constituency of Shimla district, said that a tunnel was being constructed just 32 metres below the cavity of the road where subsidence took place. He added that he had raised the issue of road subsidence at Bhattakuffer with Chief Minister Sukhvidner Singh Sukhu and the state government had ordered an inquiry into the matter. “Officials have been instructed not to fill the cavity until an investigation is completed,” he added.

The minister said that cracks had started to appear in the houses of local residents situated near the construction site. Earlier, Anirudh inaugurated and laid the foundation stone of multiple development projects being executed in Chamiana panchayat. He inaugurated a newly constructed panchayat building at Chamiana built at a cost of Rs 1.14 crore. He said that this two-storey building included a conference hall, an auditorium, offices for the panchayat pradhan, panchayat secretary, technical assistant, kitchen, waiting room and a library. He added that the building was disaster-resistant and would be used for relief work during disasters.

The minister also inaugurated a 25.50-metre span bridge, constructed at a cost of Rs 1.64 crore, connecting Tipra to the Jagaroti road. Besides, he laid the foundation stone of a lift water supply scheme, veterinary dispensary building, Kiratpur-Bakholi village road and the Chakrayal-Riundali village road.

He said that there was a possibility of an around Rs 2,000 crore investment in this area. “As many as 230 roads are being constructed in the Kasumpti Assembly constituency. Recently, 80 roads had received clearance under the Forest Rights Act (FRA). Also, preparations are underway to open a Public Works Department (PWD) division at Bhattakuffer, the process of which will be completed within the next few months. A budget provision of Rs 4.50 crore has been made for the project” he added.