Traffic jams a ‘routine affair’ on Nagrota-Baijnath stretch

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, August 10

To drive between Nagrota and Baijnath on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway, which is one of the busiest highways in the lower hills of the state, is not less than a nightmare. The road has turned into a death trap due to potholes, narrow bridges and choked drains.

In the absence of regular repairs and maintenance, fatal accidents have become common on the potholed highway. Even the routine repairs are not being carried out by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). Most of the drains and culverts on this stretch are choked, resulting in water flowing on the road.

6 years on, no improvement in sight

• Six years ago, the Pathankot-Mandi highway was taken over by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) for four-laning, but there

  is no sign of improvement or widening of the old road so far

• Most of the old and narrow bridges that were constructed during the British era have outlived their life, while many have been declared unsafe. These bridges could collapse any time owing

  to the manifold increase in the traffic

• In the absence of regular repairs and maintenance, fatal accidents have become common on the potholed highway. Even the routine repairs are not being carried out by the NHAI

In the absence of bypasses and road widening, long traffic jams can be witnessed daily at Baijnath, Paprola, Maranda and Kalu di Hatti, causing inconvenience to the public. With a manifold increase in the traffic, old and narrow bridges have also become a major traffic hazard.

Most of the bridges constructed during the British era have outlived their life, while many have been declared unsafe. But so far, no concrete steps have been taken to resolve this issue. These bridges could collapse any time owing to the manifold increase in the traffic on the highway.

Information gathered by The Tribune reveals that the NHAI has planned to construct a new road bypassing all important towns — like Palampur, Maranda, Baijnath, Paprola and Thakurdwara — falling in Kangra district. The existing old road, passing through these towns, is in a state of neglect despite being one of the busiest roads in the district.

Six years ago, the Pathankot-Mandi highway was taken over by the NHAI for four-laning, but there is no sign of improvement or widening of the old road so far.