NHAI okays Pathankot-Mandi four-lane project

Ravinder Sood

Palampur, March 26

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has approved the construction of the first phase of the Pathankot- Mandi four-lane project between Pathankot (Kandwal) and 32 miles in Kangra district.

Global bids for the first phase of the project were opened at the NHAI headquarters in New Delhi yesterday and the construction work of highway valuing Rs 1,002.11 crore were awarded to a Gurgaon-based construction company.

Strategic project

• The 219-km Pathankot-Mandi four-lane road is one of strategic road projects of the GoI which links Pathankot with Leh, Ladakh and other forward areas. Considering the defence requirements, the Centre wants to complete it early
• The NHAI has laid special stress on minimum cutting of hills
• The distance between Pathankot and Mandi will be reduced from 219 km to 171 km when the four-lane road is completed

A spokesman of the NHAI told The Tribune that the 90 per cent land for the first phase of the project had already been acquired, which was one of the conditions for the completion of the bidding process. The four-lane strategic project was hanging fire since long. The company concerned will take up the construction work soon.

As per the project report, the width of the road will be 35 metre at Kandwal, 40 metre at Pacca-Tyala and 60 metre at Nagabari where a toll plaza will be set up. The width will be between 40 and 45 metre at Bassa, 35 and 40 metre at Chhatrolli and 32 and 35 metre at Jassur and Jachh. A flyover has been proposed at Jassur. It will be 32 metre broad at Bodh where a chowk has also been proposed.

The 219-km Pathankot- Mandi four-lane road is one of strategic road projects of the Government of India which links Pathankot with Leh, Ladakh and other forward areas. Considering the defence requirements, the Centre wants to complete it early.

Official sources said the DPR prepared by Joint Ventures and Infrastructure Casta Limited, a private company, in 2016 would remain the same in the first 154-km section and would only be amended in the last 65 km falling in Mandi district where cutting of high mountain was involved.

He said the NHAI had laid special stress on minimum cutting of hills, avoiding inconvenience to people residing along the highway and also avoiding dislocation of business establishments. The distance between Pathankot and Mandi would reduce from 219 km to 171 km when the four-lane road is completed.