Protests delay widening of Pathankot-Mandi highway

The 219-km Pathankot-Mandi road-widening project, which has a vital role in linking Pathankot with Leh, Ladakh and other forward defence areas, is facing delays due to ongoing protests at Shahpur in Kangra district.

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Despite the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) having compensated residents for land and property acquired for the project, protesters have not allowed contractors to begin work in the area. The construction company has already moved its machinery to the site, but work has been stalled.

The NHAI has sought intervention of Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu to resolve the issue. While this stretch remains blocked, work on other phases of the highway between Pathankot and Palampur is progressing rapidly. Besides, the Environment Ministry has cleared phase V of the highway between Padhar and Bijni (Mandi), but the work between Palampur and Padhar is yet to begin.

Initially planned as a two-lane highway, the section between Palampur and Padhar would now be upgraded to a four-lane highway following a request by the Chief Minister to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. The NHAI is preparing a new project report for this expansion.

As the highway is considered vital for defence logistics, the Union Government is eager for its completion. Once finished, the road would reduce the travel distance between Pathankot and Mandi from 219 km to 171 km. The NHAI is making efforts to minimise hill cutting, reduce environmental impact and avoid disruption of traffic along the route.