The long-pending work to widen the Paror-Padhar stretch of the Pathankot-Mandi national highway has finally gained momentum. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has initiated the process for preparing a detailed project report (DPR) for two proposed alignments.
Under the first alignment, the consultant will examine the existing highway stretch passing through Jogindernagar town, where a bypass has also been proposed to ease traffic congestion. Under the second alignment, the consultant has been asked to study an alternative route via Machial-Pandudhar-Padhar, passing through dense forest areas and hilly terrain. Once completed, the project will give a big boost to the tourism industry and connect the four-lane highway to Kullu and Manali.
Sources said at present, the NHAI was examining two possible alignments for the nearly 60-km stretch between Paror and Padhar in Kangra and Mandi districts. The project had been hanging fire for the past four years in the absence of the DPR, as no consultant had earlier been appointed to carry out the required feasibility study and technical survey.
Officials said that the delay in finalising the alignment had hampered the proposed widening and upgrading of the highway, which is considered a crucial road link connecting lower Himachal with the central parts of the state. Thousands of commuters use the Pathankot-Mandi highway daily, and several stretches of the road are narrow, congested and accident-prone.
The NHAI has now appointed a consultant and directed him to conduct a detailed study of the proposed alignments. The consultant has been tasked with examining technical feasibility, land acquisition requirements, environmental concerns, traffic load and construction costs before preparing the DPR.
The sources revealed that one of the proposed alignments involves the improvement and widening of the existing highway along with the construction of a bypass for Jogindernagar town, while the second proposal includes the development of an alternative route through the Machial and Pandudhar areas to reduce travel time and traffic congestion. After receiving the DPR, the NHAI will review the recommendations and take a final decision on the most suitable alignment for execution of the project.
Local residents and traders have welcomed the move, stating that several portions of the highway have deteriorated over the years due to heavy traffic and the lack of widening work. They said the delay in the project had caused inconvenience to commuters and adversely affected transportation in the region.
People had urged the NHAI and the state government to expedite the process so that the long-awaited highway project can be implemented without further delay.
