Palampur villagers protest crumbling Kandwari road, seek immediate repairs

Residents of Kandwari, Nanahar and Saiparu areas in the Palampur subdivision staged a protest against the dilapidated condition of the Dharman-Kandwari road. The villagers also held a dharna in front of the SDM office in Palampur, demanding urgent repairs to the road, which they described as riddled with potholes and completely devoid of bitumen.

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Protesters warned that if immediate action was not taken, they would intensify their agitation. They alleged that despite adequate budget allocation, the Public Works Department (PWD) had failed to initiate any repair or re-carpeting work.

Zila Parishad member Navi Thakur, who led the protest, said repeated appeals to senior PWD officials had gone unheard. “Thousands of commuters use this road daily, but its maintenance has never been a government priority. Even after raising the issue with the local MLA, no concrete steps have been taken,” Thakur said. Residents claimed the road had not been repaired for the past three to four years.

Responding to the protest, MLA Ashish Butail said he was fully aware of the issue. He confirmed that funds had been sanctioned for the road’s repair and re-carpeting. “It is indeed a serious concern why the PWD has not yet executed the work. I will take up the matter with the Principal Secretary, PWD, to ensure immediate action,” he assured.