Roads broken in Himachal due to people’s mistake: PWD and government also guilty
Roads in Himachal Pradesh have never suffered as much damage in 100 years as has been seen this time. Due to this alone the PWD department has lost Rs 2140 crore. In many places, even the names of the roads have been erased. Because of this, it will take years to rebuild them.
Engineers are holding the state government and the Public Works Department (PWD) as well as the people of the hills responsible for this terrible devastation of the century. Random cutting of mountains in many places is also the reason for this. PWD engineers attributed the excessive damage to the roads.
According to the guideline, no bend, no drainage system
Retired Engineer-in-Chief (ENC) from PWD Ashok Chauhan said that to prolong the life of the roads, it is very important to have both culvert and drain. But, according to the requirement and guidelines, most of the roads in the state do not have any diversion or drainage system. Due to this, all the water starts flowing on the roads and along with the roads, people’s farms, houses, apple orchards and fertile lands are also being ruined in the rain.
5 turns are necessary in every KM on the highway, hardly 2-3 in the state
Ashok Chauhan told that there should be at least 5 curves after every kilometer on the National Highway. If necessary, 6 to 7 can also be planted. However, due to people’s protest and tendency of not giving land, the situation has become such that hardly 3-3 diversions are taking place. One or two curves are hardly seen on the state highway and other roads. People are also shutting down the old ones which have become crooked.
Lack of budget to open Kalwat drain: Chauhan
Ashok Chauhan told that lack of budget is coming in the way of cleaning the culverts and drains, because the length of the roads is increasing in the state and about 40 thousand kilometers long roads have been built. Accordingly, there is no increase in the budget. Due to this, the drains and curves are not cleaned, which is the main reason for the breakdown of the roads.
He told that due to road side encroachment and construction of houses in drains, the roads are also getting damaged. People throw all the debris in drains and ditches. This shuts them down. He told that where the ditches break down, the road is restored by removing the slip. But the ditches are not put up again. To avoid destruction, protection of the slip site is necessary.
Adequate budget is given to clean the curves and drains: ENC
PWD’s ENC Ajay Gupta told that the department wants to make Kalvat, but people do not allow it. Where 25 folds are to be made, 12-15 are made there. People are turning off. This is a major cause of destruction on the mountains. In response to a question, he said that the department is given enough budget every year before the rains to clean the drains and culverts.
Damage to more than 1700 roads
This time in the state, more than 1700 PWD roads have been damaged due to rain. Similarly, this figure almost doubles when the roads built by the villagers themselves are included. The movement of people has been badly affected due to the closure of these roads. About 1000 roads have remained closed for 15 days. More than 200 roads are still closed. The transportation of apples has been worst affected due to the blockade of roads.
People’s homes are being snatched due to the negligence of PWD
Many people’s houses have also been destroyed due to roadside drainage and blockage. According to the locals in Khadahan in Shimla district, more than 45 houses in the panchayat have been damaged due to the negligence of the PWD. Local Panchayat Pradhan Ramila told that since 2006, she has been raising the demand of PWD to make culvert and drainage on the road. However, the department did not pay attention to this. Due to this many people have become homeless today.
