Munish Sood
Mandi: IIn a major administrative decision following a grassroots protest campaign led by Prof. Anupama Singh, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has officially removed Surya Company from the long-delayed construction work on the Mandi–Kotli–Dharampur–Hamirpur–Jalandhar stretch of National Highway-003 (Attari–Leh Highway).
The move comes after weeks of intense public unrest and citizen-led mobilization, which compelled the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways to intervene. The contract has now been handed over to Gawar Construction Company, with a new completion deadline set for December 2025.
The turning point came on June 20, when frustrated locals blocked the highway near Kotli to protest years of poor road conditions and contractor inaction. The protest disrupted traffic and drew widespread attention to the plight of the people in the region. At the forefront of this public movement was Prof. Anupama Singh, a respected academic and social activist from Mandi, who played a pivotal role in organizing and mobilizing the community for action.
Prof. Singh took the issue directly to Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Shri Nitin Gadkari, during a meeting in New Delhi on June 25. She presented field data, visual evidence, and testimonials, underscoring the urgency of government intervention. The Minister responded positively and assured that visible changes would take place within a month.
True to his word, Shri Gadkari issued a verbal directive the very next day, instructing that the contract be transferred to Gawar Construction Company. The directive was delivered in the presence of Prof. Singh and conveyed personally to the firm’s owner, Mr. Ravinder Gaveriya. On July 18, the Ministry formalized this decision with an official order terminating Surya Company’s contract and confirming Gawar Construction’s appointment.
“This was a people’s movement, driven by collective frustration and a demand for accountability,” said Prof. Anupama Singh. “We were not seeking confrontation; we were demanding what is rightfully ours.”
The NH-003 route is a critical link connecting northern India to Leh. Poor conditions on this stretch had caused safety hazards, travel delays, and economic disruption for months. The recent developments have been hailed as a powerful example of how grassroots efforts and citizen engagement can prompt policy-level corrections and infrastructure reform.
Locals have also expressed appreciation for Minister Gadkari’s prompt action. Construction by the new contractor is already underway, raising hopes that the long-pending highway project will finally see timely completion.
