Villagers Demand Urgent Repairs on Mandi-Pathankot Super Highway Amid Worsening Road Conditions and Infrastructure Damage.
Shimla:
Residents of several villages located along the Narla to Bijni stretch of the Mandi-Pathankot Highway in Mandi district have raised alarms over the worsening state of the road and associated infrastructure. Alleging gross negligence by the construction company handling the highway project, villagers have appealed to the district administration for swift intervention.
A delegation led by HPMC Director Joginder Guleria met Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Mandi, Gursimar Singh, on Tuesday and submitted a memorandum demanding urgent action. Accompanying him were local residents including Dr. Chander Shekhar, Director of Sampati Devi Memorial Nursing College, and Hem Singh Thakur.
According to Guleria, several houses and cowsheds in the region between Narla and Bijni have either sustained severe structural damage or are at risk of collapse due to ongoing construction activities. “Affected families deserve immediate assessments and fair compensation,” Guleria emphasized. “We are also demanding the installation of safety barricades around vulnerable structures to prevent further damage.”
The delegation highlighted that existing village roads and concrete paths have been either destroyed or rendered impassable, leaving residents stranded. “Despite having heavy machinery at its disposal, the construction company has failed to repair the damaged roads,” Guleria added. “This has made commuting—especially for women, children, and students—dangerous and extremely challenging during the current monsoon season.”
Another serious concern raised in the memorandum is the poor maintenance of roadside drainage systems. Damaged or blocked drains have resulted in large pools of stagnant water forming along the highway, creating deep and dangerous pits due to the lack of proper discharge systems.
High-risk zones identified in the complaint include Labahdi, Magal, Mahachh, Pakhri, Dawared, Dang, Pali, Sahal, Kunnu, Mohakdhar, and Narla. The villagers stressed the need to use durable materials—specifically “muk,” or gravel extracted from tunnel operations—instead of loose soil for all repair works to ensure the longevity and safety of the roads.
Speaking to reporters, Dr. Chander Shekhar pointed out that access to Sampati Devi Memorial Nursing College has been severely affected. “The road leading to the college is damaged, making it extremely difficult for students to attend classes and continue their studies,” he stated.
In conclusion, the villagers have appealed to the district administration to immediately direct the construction company to undertake comprehensive repairs, provide fair compensation, and restore essential infrastructure before the situation escalates into a larger crisis.
