Theog-Hatkoti highway still blocked

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 17

Apple-laden trucks stranded on the Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru highway near Patti Dhank since August 15 have had farmers worried. Although the Public Works Department (PWD) started the restoration work on Friday, it will take workers a day or two more to clear the highway.

“The fruit may rot as it is humid here,” said Naresh Chauhan, a farmer from Jubbal.

Trees along the road may fall anytime, hindering the restoration work.

“The PWD has pressed 10 machines into service,” said RK Verma, project incharge of the Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru highway. “We cannot start the work from the Kharapathar side as the land is sinking there,” he added.

Verma said they had sped up work from the other side. “If weather permits, we hope we will be able to open the road by Saturday evening,” he added.

Traffic jams were seen on the Kharapathar-Tau-Kotkhai and Mendli-Tikkar Baghi roads as all HRTC buses and trucks are passing through this route. Traffic remained suspended on the Maliana-Mehli-Shoghi road for the third day on Friday. The MC could not open the High Court road and Maliana-Gorkhu lodge road.