Encroachment along Pathankot-Mandi highway raises safety concerns
Rampant encroachment along the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway near Dharman village, on the outskirts of Palampur, have emerged as a serious concern for commuters and residents. Despite repeated public complaints and the visible rise in illegal structures, officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) appear indifferent, with no concrete action taken so far.
In recent months, several cemented structures have sprung up in broad daylight along the highway. However, not a single notice has reportedly been served to violators, raising questions about the NHAI’s enforcement mechanism.
The increasing number of encroachments on both sides of the highway has created virtual bottlenecks, significantly impacting traffic flow and heightening the risk of accidents. The situation has become especially alarming on the stretch between Palampur and Sungal, where over 100 unauthorised shops have reportedly come up. In addition, tin sheds and makeshift stalls have been erected near CSK Himachal Pradesh Agricultural University, further narrowing the already congested route.
Of even greater concern is the illegal construction of buildings—including houses, shops, and hotels—on NHAI land along the Bithhi Khud, between Sungal and Aweri. These structures have been built by covering the rivulet with concrete slabs, leaving little space for the natural flow of water. In several places, the width of the khud has been reduced to just three metres, compared to the 15 to 20 metres recorded in revenue documents.
Most of these constructions blatantly violate the Himachal Pradesh Roadside Land Control Act, which prohibits building within five meters of national highways. Additionally, much of the land falls in flood-prone areas, where construction is legally restricted. Yet, the stretch is now dotted with hotels, guesthouses, petrol pumps, and residential houses, all contributing to environmental degradation and road safety hazards.
When contacted, Project Director of NHAI Vikas Surjewala claimed that notices had been issued to the violators. “We have informed the local SDMs and other relevant authorities. All unauthorised structures will be removed in due course,” he said.
Encroachments have also been reported at Nalti Pul, Paror, and Mehaja Road, where the road width has been drastically reduced, causing serious inconvenience to both pedestrians and motorists.
Despite the assurances, locals remain skeptical, citing a lack of visible action and the continued growth of illegal structures. With the highway playing a critical role in regional connectivity, urgent intervention is being demanded to restore the legal width of the road, ensure commuter safety, and prevent long-term environmental damage.
Himachal Tribune