MANDI: The Kiratpur-Manali four-lane project, a strategically vital link, continues to face delays and poor construction standards. The stretch from Nagchala to Pandoh, being developed by KMC, has been riddled with issues from the start. Both locals and tourists are increasingly frustrated as the work drags on with no end in sight.
Under this project, three major bridges are being built between 7 Miles and Jawahar Navodaya School in Pandoh. However, after five years, the progress is so sluggish that grass has started growing on the bridge foundations, signaling neglect.
The project appears to be faltering even before completion, with no significant progress except for one bridge near 9 Miles, which has been under construction for a year. The other two bridges have seen no recent activity, and KMC has yet to provide a clear timeline for when the work will be finished.
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Road conditions worsen, locals face challenges
Aside from the stalled bridges, the road connecting Mandi to Pandoh is also in a deplorable state. Sections of the four-lane highway already completed by KMC are in disrepair, leaving locals unable to reap the intended benefits of the project. Landslides from the recent monsoon have left debris scattered across the road, reducing its width significantly. Drainage systems are either absent or dysfunctional, worsening the situation during the rains.
Commuters, including school and college students, as well as local employees, endure daily hardships due to these poor road conditions. Frustrated residents have called for immediate action to speed up and improve the quality of the work.
KMC blames delay on monsoon
In response to the ongoing delays, NHAI Project Director Varun Chari stated that the company has been directed to complete the section from 7 Miles to Jawahar Navodaya School by January 2025. KMC, however, has requested additional time, citing delays caused by the monsoon. The request for an extension will be considered only after a thorough assessment of the situation.
The local community continues to voice concerns over the lack of accountability and transparency in the project, urging authorities to ensure timely completion and restore confidence in the infrastructure developments underway.
