Link rural roads to Hamirpur-Parchu highway stretch in 15 days: Anurag

Former Union Minister Anurag Thakur today directed the officials of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways at Sameerpur that all link/rural roads that were disconnected from the Hamirpur-Parchu stretch of the National Highway No-3 following negligence in construction work should be linked to it within 15 days.

Anurag was not satisfied with the working of the construction company and the officials of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways. He inspected the road under construction from Hamirpur to Parchu in Mandi district in the last two days. He also listened to the grievances of people who arrived at the rest house at Sameerpur in Hamirpur.

The construction of the Hamirpur-Parchu stretch of the road was started about three years ago but the work progressed at a snail’s pace. People had repeatedly requested the officials of the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the construction company to be careful while cutting hills, as the vibrations of the work could cause cracks in buildings but both agencies allegedly ignored their plight.

Rimpi Kumari, secretary of a women NGO at Chahad village, alleged that the diversion of water flow, reckless hill cutting and dumping of debris in fields had compounded the misery of people. The construction of this Rs 223-crore project for the 40-km road stretch between Hamirpur and Parchu had made life miserable for the people of the area.

Anurag said that it was unfortunate that though notices had been issued several times, there was no improvement in the working of the authorities concerned. He told the officials concerned to ensure that no complaint against the working of the construction company should remain unaddressed.

Later, Anurag flagged off a van carrying relief material for disaster-affected people of the Seraj Assembly constituency.

Himachal Tribune