Work on rly overbridge set to aggravate Solan traffic woes

bika Sharma

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Tribune New Service

Solan, February 10

The proposed construction of a railway overbridge at Chambaghat and an underpass at Saproon Chowk is likely to aggravate traffic woes on the section of the Solan-Shimla highway as few arterial roads are available to handle traffic influx.

With the excavation of a hill the work to construct the underpass at Saproon has begun. The houses of officials located atop the hill are being vacated. Once the work gains momentum, traffic is sure to be severely affected.

Being a key road connecting Solan with Shimla, DC KC Chaman today directed officials of the company, engaged in the four-laning work, to construct a carriageway for small vehicles at Saproon till the underpass was constructed. Since the closure of the road would cause a major traffic hassle, the district administration was trying to work out alternatives.

A similar situation is slated to occur at Chambaghat where the construction of a railway overbridge will leave little space for vehicles to pass.

Chaman said PWD officials had been directed to strengthen and widen the 18-km Chambaghat-Basal-Kandaghat arterial road where vehicles going to Shimla could be diverted once the overbridge work was initiated. The vehicles coming from Shimla could use the highway and the diversion of vehicles from one side would reduce the burden on the highway.

He also added that the PWD staff had been directed to speed up the work on the Solan bypass which would also help in diverting traffic, once the underpass work began.

The tourist season will begin in April and work on the underpass and railway overbridge would be on the peak that time. The possibility of acquiring additional land to ensure the smooth flow of traffic will be explored.

The state has failed to secure funds from the NHAI for widening the road which could be used as an arterial road. No other road is available to divert traffic on this route. Since the PWD had failed to make judicious use of funds worth Rs 21 crore granted for strengthening three arterial roads in Kasauli in view of the four-laning of the Parwanoo-Dharampur section, the NHAI has refused to grant any fund for the road.