NHAI, Salogra residents at loggerheads over culvert removal

Residents of Salogra village, located on the Solan-Kandaghat section of National Highway-5, are once again at loggerheads with the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), demanding the removal of a culvert built to direct water flow from the hill above.

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Last monsoon, heavy rain and water from the culvert caused damage to several houses, including one where a wall collapsed and another where muck piled up inside. Locals are now calling for the culvert's complete removal, citing the damage caused to their crops and the flooding of their land due to the slush and debris.

A team of NHAI officials, who inspected the site, said the culvert had been designed to channel rainwater from the hill. According to NHAI Project Director Anand Dahiya, after locals raised objections, the culvert was filled with soil and closed, and water was redirected through nearby drains. However, the residents remain concerned that the culvert may reopen and cause further damage to their land and houses. Despite police efforts to mediate, the villagers have demanded a written undertaking from the NHAI to permanently remove the culvert.

Meanwhile, Solan SDM Punam Bansal visited the site to defuse the situation. She instructed the NHAI to adopt scientific methods to seal the culvert and redirect water through alternative culverts. Emphasising the significance of protecting the villagers from future damage, she stressed the importance of safeguarding their homes and fields from further destruction.