Centre seeks details of tarring work done on Larji-Banjar road

The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has raised objections to the detailed project report (DPR) submitted for the tarring of the Larji-Banjar stretch of the Aut-Luhri National Highway-305. The ministry has sought a status report on the tarring and repair work previously undertaken on this road.

According to sources, the National Highways Wing of the state Public Works Department (PWD) had submitted two DPRs – one for the Larji-Banjar road stretch and the other for the Banjar-Ghiyagi road. While the DPR for the Banjar-Ghiyagi road stretch, which proposed edge-to-edge tarring, has received approval and budget allocation, the DPR for the Larji-Banjar road stretch is still under consideration.

The issue appears to be mired in complications involving the contractor, who undertook the tarring of one lane of the road in 2021, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Central Government. As per the original agreement, the contractor was responsible for the maintenance of the road for five years before any additional work could be planned. However, the NHAI has reportedly submitted a DPR for edge-to-edge tarring on the Larji-Banjar road stretch as a new project.

Banjar MLA Surender Shourie has alleged gross negligence on the part of the NHAI and the state government for their failure to hold the contractor accountable. “It seems that efforts are being made to protect the contractor. Because of the lackadaisical attitude of the state government and the NHAI, the Central Government has stalled the DPR for tarring of the Larji-Banjar road stretch. Had timely action been taken, the DPR would have been approved, benefiting people,” he added.

The poor condition of the National Highway-305 has led to public outrage and massive protests by Banjar residents. Protesters have demanded a thorough investigation into the matter, citing years of neglect and poor maintenance. Local resident Hemraj points out that several fatal accidents have occurred due to the dilapidated state of the road. He alleges that while records suggest that the work has been done, the ground reality is to the contrary.

Another resident Gokul laments the prolonged delay in widening the road. “This road was declared a national highway in 2012 but its condition is no better than a local link road. Traffic jams at numerous bottlenecks have become a daily ordeal for commuters. Despite repeated pleas for improvement, no significant action has been done," he adds.

KL Suman, Executive Engineer of the National Highway Wing of the PWD, says that the ministry has raised objections to a DPR and sought clarifications. He adds that the required response will be provided. The contractor is at present doing patchwork on the road.

The poor condition of the Larji-Banjar-Jalori road highlights systemic inefficiencies and the lack of accountability.

Himachal Tribune