Shimla: Delayed four laning construction work of Kiratpur-Ner Chowk-Pandoh-Kullu-Manali and Parwanoo-Shimla roads giving nightmare to commuters and also putting pressure on the state government.
To take a stock of work of the projects, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur and his top officers Additional Chief Secretary, PWD Anil Khachi, Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda today held a review meeting with executing agency National Highway Authority of India (NHAI). The state government decided to review the progress in four laning of all the major road projects regularly after three months so as to ensure that these were completed within the stipulated time period.
The Chief Minister assured to give necessary clearances to the executing. However, he also cautioned the executing agencies to finish the work in stipulated time. He also direct to carry out quality construction work as per specifications.
Jai Ram Thakur said that four laning executing agencies should ensure that minimum environmental hazards were caused due to these projects.
He said that since both these major highways had heavy flow of tourist vehicles, it must be ensured that the work was carried out in such a way that it causes minimum inconvenience to the tourists and general commuters. He said that work should be expedited on the sections of road which had been accorded different approvals.
Most of the roads in the state are in bad shape. Potholes and uneven road greet commuters. Roads in capital Shimla city, which attracts regular traffic throughout year are in bad shape. Khalini to ISBT roads is full of Potholes and even at Lal Pani nala whole road tarring has been uprooted since long and state authority has so far remain mute spectator. From Shimla to Waknaghat patch work was carried out but due to inferior quality of material road has become dangerous for commuters, which has also failed to attract the attention of the authority.
Delayed work on two major roads of the state has catch the attention of state government and we hope that government will also work to improve the condition of other roads as well and will give relief to the commuters.