No progress on widening of Palampur-Hamirpur highway

The much-needed widening of the Palampur-Hamirpur highway, a crucial link in Kangra district connecting Palampur with Chandigarh and Shimla, remains stalled.

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The state Public Works Department (PWD) has submitted a detailed project report (DPR) to the Government of India, seeking ?185 crore in funding for the 70 km road project to be expanded into two lanes. However, no funds have been sanctioned to date.

While talking to The Tribune here today, a senior officer of the HPPWD Palampur said that the DPR for the road between Palampur and Hamirpur had been prepared in two phases by the Palampur and Hamirpur circles of PWD. He said that the department has sought funds under Central Government sponsored schemes CFR road projects.

Till date, the Ministry of Road and Surface Transport has neither put any objections on DPR nor approved the same. He said the major part of the road — over 50 km — falls within Palampur circle of PWD. He admitted that the road needs immediate widening keeping in view high volume of traffic. Additionally, local towns Bhawarna and Thural require bypasses to facilitate smoother traffic flow.

Gokul Butail, Information and Technology Adviser (Innovation) to the Chief Minister, said that the Chief Minister was taking personal interest in the widening of this highway project, and so he had directed the PWD to convert the highway into two lanes at the earliest. He had also written to Road and Surface Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari in this regard.