After Himachal minister, BJP MP Anurag Thakur slams NHAI officials over poor construction work

TNR News Network
Dharampur:
Days after Himachal Pradesh Minister Anirudh Singh was accused of beating up an official of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), former Union Minister and BJP MP from Hamirpur Anurag Thakur pulled up officials over the poor condition and delay in the construction of National Highway-3 (Jalandhar-Mandi via Dharampur).

Anurag Thakur lashed out at the construction company’s project director during a public inspection, highlighting the residents’ growing frustration over two years of suffering due to alleged negligence.
The MP’s rebuke, captured on video and now circulating widely on social media, exposed severe lapses by the construction firm, BRN Company, and a lack of oversight from the central road ministry, MoRTH.

Where are experts, Thakur grills project director in public

During his one-day visit to Dharampur, locals poured out their complaints to Anurag Thakur, prompting the senior BJP leader to confront Project Director Jitendra Pandey of the construction company. Anurag Thakur questioned why retaining walls were collapsing repeatedly and demanded to know the whereabouts of the company’s experts.

“If you have experienced engineers, then why are the roads in such a pathetic state? Why are people forced to use ropes to reach their homes?” Anurag Thakur asked, pointing to the dangerous and incomplete roadwork. He accused the company of “gross negligence or being hand-in-glove with irresponsible contractors.”

MP orders compensation, fixes accountability

Anurag Thakur didn’t mince words while directing the company to immediately compensate the affected families and reconstruct all fallen retaining walls. He also instructed Pandey to appear before the Disha Committee meeting on July 15 with other company officials to account for the delays and damage.

A local woman narrated how her family had been climbing up to their home using a rope for over six months. Anurag Thakur reacted sternly when the company attempted to deflect blame, saying, “If there’s no path left, how are people supposed to reach their homes? This is outright failure on your part.”

Disaster-hit families receive aid, MP visits affected areas

Apart from addressing construction woes, Anurag Thakur toured several disaster-hit villages in Dharampur, including Syathi, Bhadarna, Tanher and Padhchu, where he met families whose homes and livestock shelters were destroyed in the June 30 heavy rains.

In Syathi alone, 27 homes were completely destroyed and 38 cowsheds flattened — although no lives were lost, thanks to timely evacuation prompted by a dog’s alert barking.

Anurag Thakur highlighted the role of his ‘MP Mobile Health Service’, which has been actively treating 400-450 patients daily in remote flood-affected regions like Seraj and Dharampur. He assured continued support and announced assistance from his MP fund for rebuilding efforts.

Locals appeal for urgent intervention

Locals said they’ve already submitted several complaints to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, demanding stricter action against negligent contractors. On June 20, villagers in Talyard (Mandi) even gathered and protested against a MoRTH inspection team, citing delays and poor construction.

The affected stretch of NH-3, particularly the 22-km patch between Padhchu and Kumarada, is under BRN Company’s execution, while Surya Construction handles the Mandi Bypass to Kotli section.