Expert team visits Parwanoo-Solan stretch of Chandigarh-Shimla National Highway

Talking to The Indian Express, RK Pandey who is heading the three-member team said, “We have visited the various sites on the entire stretch and inspected them all. We would now sit together and discuss the best long term solutions that can be worked upon. Everyone knows that there have been unprecedented rains this time in Himachal which led to the present status of the four lane. We have asked for the data from the NHAI and after detailed discussions, we would find the best possible solution to the problem.”

The team has already submitted a report regarding Kullu-Manali highway. according to Pandey. “Within a week’s time, we will submit this one too. Once the details on various things like the soil property, position of hydraulics, rainfall, the status of technical investigations etc. are received by us from the NHAI, we would be giving the report on the long term solution of the problem here”. He further added, “As for the drainage part is concerned, it is mainly the water that is responsible for such a condition and continuous landslides on the mountain regions.”

The team has also asked for a complete drone survey of the entire Parwanoo Solan stretch before and after the rains in Himachal.

The report to be submitted in the NHAI Delhi headquarters will be towards the final restoration of the Chandigarh Shimla National Highway, the NHAI Project Director Anil Dahiya said. “The three-member team saw all the ten sites and is expected to submit a report in the week’s time. The design team of GR Infra, the company that constructed the four lane, and Deputy manager, technical of NHAI was also present during the visit, ” he said. He further added that Dharmender Gill from IIT, Mandi would be looking into the hydraulic concerns while Professor Ojha would be looking into the geological aspect of the site.

It is to be reminded that a two-member Japanese team had also visited the Chakki Mor site many weeks back but their report is still awaited.

A two-lane bituminous road is expected to be made at the Chakki Mor site by October 15, according to the NHAI. “As the monsoons have become weak, the chances of landslides will increase. Till now the moisture was holding the soil. Once it starts drying up, it will leave the soil and the mountains will become more prone to landslides now. But we have our machinery at stand by so we will keep clearing so that the vehicular movement does not stop and the highway stays open,” Dahiya said.