Rahul Chawla
The North News
Dharamshala, March 23
Nearly 3,000 residents of Akhankhola and nearby areas near Dharamshala say a badly damaged roadside drain on the Akhankhola–Sudhed link road has become a major safety risk, despite repeated appeals for repairs.
Ajit Nehria, a local resident, described the road as the “lifeline” of the village. He pointed out that during last year’s road closure to McLeod Ganj, this route served as an alternative for tourists. “If an accident occurs due to the culvert’s condition, who will be held responsible?” he questioned, adding that the structure is especially dangerous for unaware travelers and heavy vehicles. Local hotel businessman Gaurav also expressed concern, stating that poor road conditions are affecting both residents and small business owners. He warned that if repairs are not carried out before the upcoming tourist season, businesses could suffer heavy losses. “We pay GST, yet the problem remains unresolved,” he said, adding that appeals have already been made to the Chief Minister and the Public Works Department.
Women in the village highlighted the daily hardships caused by the deteriorating infrastructure. Seema Kumari, a resident, said that during the rainy season, children often struggle to reach school on time, while elderly people and pregnant women face serious difficulties. She urged authorities to act swiftly to rebuild the culvert and repair the road. Responding to the concerns, Shahpur MLA Kewal Singh Pathania said that he has directed the Public Works Department to expedite the tendering process and complete the work soon. He also acknowledged the issue of landslides in the Sudhed area and assured that progress will be reviewed after the assembly session concludes. Villagers have warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, they may be forced to launch protests, as the deteriorating culvert continues to threaten both safety and livelihoods.
