Himachal: Union Minister, MP assure people on speedy completion of four-lane project

Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Harsh Malhotra and Kangra MP Rajiv Bhardwaj today conducted an on-site inspection of the under-construction Kotla tunnel on the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane project, where a recent landslide had raised serious safety concerns.

The visit marked a renewed push from the Centre for timely and accountable infrastructure development in Himachal Pradesh.

The minister, who earlier took part in a tree plantation drive at Ladwara, interacted with people at Shahpur. He interacted with residents impacted by the four-lane construction. Acknowledging the hardships people — particularly those having houses along the road — are facing, Malhotra instructed Vikas Surjewala, Project Director of the National Highway Authority, to expedite the construction of retaining walls in areas like Sarnu and ensure that protective measures are implemented within a set timeframe.

Responding to The Tribune query on large-scale deforestation and displacement of roadside dwellings, Malhotra assured that the loss of green cover would be compensated with an extensive afforestation initiative.

A day prior to the minister’s visit, MP Rajiv Bhardwaj had undertaken an extensive field survey of the 60-km stretch from Jassur to Shahpur. Accompanied by National Highway Project Director and Regional Officer Col Ajay, MP Bhardwaj had met with the locals to assess the on-ground situation and expedite pending works.

During the inspection, Bhardwaj directed Bharat Construction Company—the firm executing the project—to strictly adhere to the deadline. He confirmed that girder-launching for the much-anticipated flyover at Jassur will commence on July 3.

Furthermore, the shifting of high-tension transmission lines over the flyover, a critical bottleneck, is now formally scheduled for November, following coordination with the Shanan power project authorities.

The joint inspection by the Union Minister and the MP has rekindled public hope for faster execution of the much-delayed project, which has dragged on for over four years, inconveniencing thousands of people across the region.

Shahpur SDM Kartar Chand accompanied the Union Minister and the MP.