Traffic on Solan-Kumarhatti bypass to be suspended

Tribune News Service

Solan, February 16

The movement of vehicles from the Solan bypass at Deori Dwar to the Kumarhatti bypass on the National Highway-22, where the four-laning work is under way, will remain suspended from February 22 to 24.

Solan Deputy Commissioner Rakesh Kanwar issued the directions after officials of the National Highways Authority of India told the district administration that the large-scale excavation of the hill was in progress and could pose a threat to commuters.

Officials of the PWD, municipal committee and police have been issued directions to ensure the smooth movement of vehicles from Barog on the state highway.

Last year, a Nangal resident had lost his life after being trapped under the debris on the stretch of the highway while a couple had a close shave when a huge boulder hit their car’s bonnet a few days ago. The incidents while exposing the risk of commuting on this excavated portions of the highway had necessitated the need to adopt safety measures. It was learnt that some hilly portions on the stretch had become risky for commuting in view of the large-scale excavation and time had been sought from the district administration to clear such hazardous sites.

Since a state highway passing through Barog was a viable option for the vehicles, the commuters would not face any problem in travelling here. “We are preparing a plan to divert the traffic from Deori Dwar through the gurdwara road and being narrow it will require a large number of policemen to ensure smooth movement of vehicles,” said Additional SP Manmohan Singh.

Barely 10 per cent of the total four-laning work has been executed by NHAI in the first 18 months as against its target of completing it within 30 months.