Bridge over Neugal river at Parour partially damaged

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, August 3

The bridge on the Neugal river on the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway at Parour has been partially damaged because of flash floods and heavy rain. The flood water has started flowing over the bridge posing threat to motorists.

A visit to the site revealed that the condition of the stretch is bad and if no timely action was taken by the NHAI traffic movement on the highway could come to a halt.

The Pathankot-Mandi highway was taken over by the NHAI five years ago for its upgrade. Since then the condition of the highway has gone from bad to worse. Many bridges on the highway need urgent maintenance.

Despite repeated requests from the state government and several meetings held with the Chief Minister and principal secretary, PWD, no steps have been taken for the upkeep of the road.

On many stretches, the highway is full of potholes rendering driving risky. In the past four years, the encroachments on the highway have increased and the authorities concerned failed to address the issue.

The Pathankot-Mandi highway is among one of the most significant roads and links Pathankot with Leh via Manali.

The road was taken over by the NHAI in 2017 for its upgradation and fourlaning, but the NHAI has barely completed 5 per cent of the work till date.

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