Residents of Nurpur town, led by newly elected Congress-backed Municipal Council councillors, have urged the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to construct an at-grade intersection instead of the proposed overbridge on the Nurpur-Chinwa link road near the Housing Board Colony.
A memorandum to this effect was submitted to the NHAI Project Director through the Nurpur SDM on Wednesday. The residents also demanded proper entry and exit points for vehicles on the under-construction nearly five-km four-lane stretch connecting Nurpur and Chinwa.
According to the memorandum, the existing Nurpur-Chinwa link road serves as a vital connectivity route for wards 2, 4, 5 and 6 of the town and also provides access to several surrounding villages, including Chinwa, Kolan, Bhugnara and Bassa-Waziran. Thousands of residents use the road daily to reach government offices, educational institutions and other essential services.
The residents expressed concern that construction of an overbridge without direct highway access would effectively sever existing connectivity. They argued that commuters would be forced to travel significantly longer distances to enter or exit the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane highway, leading to inconvenience, higher fuel consumption and delays, particularly during medical and other emergencies.
The memorandum stated that local residents, students, patients and daily commuters depend heavily on the route for access to schools, colleges, healthcare facilities and other essential services. It demanded either the construction of an intersection chowk with service lanes and an appropriate traffic management system or the provision of designated access points on the bypass section.
The four-lane bypass is currently being constructed from Bodh near Kali Mata Temple to Khushinagar on the outskirts of Nurpur. Residents maintained that without a direct crossing or access facility, the bypass would adversely affect mobility for a large section of the local population.
Responding to the demand, SDM Arun Sharma said he had received the representation and would ask NHAI officials to conduct a site inspection and examine the concerns raised by residents.
The issue has gained significance as local residents continue to press for infrastructure solutions that balance highway development with the transportation needs of the town and adjoining villages.
