Probe ordered into poor condition of roads

The three highways under the scanner are Shimla-Namhol; Shimla-Parwanoo and Shimla-Narkanda (in the apple belt). The Shimla-Narkanda and Shimla Parwanoo stretches were recently in news for long traffic jams due to poor condition of the roads that support transportation of apple to places outside the state.

The Shimla-Namhol Road that connects Bilaspur,Manali and Kangra areas with the state capital also remained choked during the monsoons due to stranded vehicles at many places.

Talking to The Indian Express,Kapoor said: “I have personally checked the condition of these three NH stretches and found that drains were not properly maintained at many places,causing water to flow on the tarred roads and damaging them.”

He said the NH department had a huge staff strength whose main task was to maintain roads and lapses on their part were not acceptable.

One week’s time has been given to the committee headed by Engineer in Chief Quality and Design K K Kampani to complete the probe.

Kapoor said the next target would be the condition of state highways. The PWD had formed 28 teams to ensure drainage system along roads in each division ahead of monsoons. “The performance of these committees will also be inquired into,” said Kapoor.