Chamba: The Pathankot-Bharmour National Highway in Chamba district is in a severely deteriorated state, particularly from Bagga to Bharmour. Months ago, heavy rainfall triggered landslides at multiple locations, but authorities have failed to take corrective measures. With the famous Manimahesh Mela approaching in a couple of months, the road remains in poor condition, raising concerns for travelers.
A landslide at Batti Hatti had earlier caused a retaining wall to collapse, yet no repairs have been made. The same spot is now experiencing fresh landslides, posing a serious risk to commuters. Former village head Desh Raj Sharma stated that repeated complaints to the National Highway Department have gone unheard. He warned that a major accident could occur at any time, especially since the Ravi River flows alongside the damaged stretch.
Sharma has once again urged authorities to take immediate action and reinforce the retaining wall to prevent further disasters. Meanwhile, NH Department Executive Engineer Meet Singh Thakur assured that an inspection will be conducted soon, and necessary steps will be taken to resolve the issue.
Subhash Mahajan
