Shimla, June 10: The national highway (NH) authorities have initiated a drive to remove encroachments along NH-70 and NH-80 for widening the highway.
It was learnt that the NH authorities had issued a directive to the residents of Hira Nagar and Krishana Nagar to remove encroachments at the earliest else the department would be compelled to remove the same with the help of heavy machinery.
Meanwhile, the machines of the NH authorities had started the work of widening the road with the help of heavy earthmovers. Notably, the road was due for widening ever since it was upgraded to national highway from the state highway, but the work was repeatedly delayed pending the Forest Department’s nod for felling the trees. It was pertinent to mention here that the forest corporation had started cutting trees along the road just two months ago, which was yet to be completed.
HL Sharma, Executive Engineer, NH division, here said the widening of NH 70 and NH 80 was on the cards and residents of Hira Nagar and Krishana Nagar were advised to remove encroachments. No retention walls and drains constructed earlier would be removed, he added.Sangeeta Chandel, Divisional Manager, Forest Corporation, said the felling of trees in Hira Nagar and Krishana Nagar along the NH would be completed in a phased manner. As there were houses and electricity lines, hence work would be done with extra precautions, she added.
Source Tribune India
