Vikramaditya seeks report on highway tarring work in Theog

Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh has sought a report on the ongoing metalling and tarring work on the National Highway-5 in Theog, around 40 km from Shimla. Local residents have raised doubts over the quality of the work on an around 2.5-km stretch of the highway passing through Theog.

He said, “Some quality-related issues regarding the road tarring work in Theog have come to my notice. I’ve sought a report from the Chief Engineer. Our quality control wing will also check the metalling and tarring work on this highway stretch. If any shortcoming is found in the work, action will be taken.”

The metalling and tarring work on this highway stretch had started a few days ago. As per the locals, the tarred surface of the highway started coming off at several places within days, indicating the work being done is of sub-standard quality. The issue came to light when a local resident made a video showing the tarring coming off with a brush in his hand.

A Sub-Divisional Engineer, who is overseeing the work, admitted that the tarring on the road had come off at some points but the work was not sub-standard. “Initially, traffic wasn’t stopped for tarring. The material peeled off at edges as some vehicles passed over the freshly-laid material,” the SDO said. “We have asked the administration to stop the work so that material could be properly rolled. Traffic has been stopped to a large extent now and the work is being carried out, as per the norms,” he added.

Not happy with the quality of work, a Theog resident said that the road constructed by a Chinese company from Theog to Hatkoti over 15 years ago had seen little wear are tear till now. “The metalling and tarring work done by our contactors don’t last even months. Aren’t they competent enough to do quality work? I think we all know where the problem lies,” he added. Local residents complained that driving to the Civil Hospital had also become a challenge due to the bad condition of the road. “The road leading to the hospital is full of potholes. Besides, there are always vehicles parked close to the gate of the hospital, making it tough for even ambulances to enter the premises,” said another resident.