Thinner roads, thicker problems!

The quality of road construction and maintenance in the Kasauli division has taken a hit due to a slew of cost-cutting measures and delayed fund disbursals. The reduction in the bitumen layer thickness from 30 mm to 25 mm by the Public Works Department (PWD) — an austerity measure amid ongoing fund shortages — has sparked criticism from residents, who fear it will compromise the longevity and finish of the roads.

The decline in maintenance capacity is evident, with only 31 km of roads scheduled for repairs this financial year — a drop from 36 km last year. The allocated budget has also shrunk from Rs 4.15 crore to Rs 3.5 crore, confirmed Gurminder Rana, Executive Engineer, PWD Kasauli Division.

Adding to the challenges, a government-imposed bar on withdrawing funds from the treasury before the 10th of each month is delaying payments to contractors. This has affected not just ongoing maintenance but also the construction of new roads.

One glaring example is the Sanawar–Shiller–Pathia link road. Although Rs 3.52 crore was spent on the 3.5-km project, funded by NABARD, the top layer began to erode just days after it was laid, forcing the department to carry out patchwork repairs. Residents, who had long awaited the concretisation of this vital road, were left disillusioned by the substandard work. The road was originally a bridal path before it was widened and fitted with culverts and retaining walls. Its foundation stone had been laid by former MLA Dr Rajiv Saizal in October 2020.

Elsewhere, repair work on the Suki Jori-Sanawar-Garkhal road has been stalled due to delayed contractor payments and the early onset of pre-monsoon rains. “No roadwork can be undertaken during the rains. The remaining work will now resume in mid-September,” said Executive Engineer Rana.

The Garkhal–Kasauli road, a lifeline to the popular hill station, remains another sore point. Nearly half of its width was damaged due to excavation for laying water pipes, but repair work has yet to commence. Motorists continue to navigate bumpy, potholed stretches, while tourists visiting the hill town during peak season are greeted with a poor first impression.

Himachal Tribune