BJP MP Anurag Thakur Critiques NHAI Officials Over Highway Construction Issues
Concerns Raised Over National Highway-3 Construction
News Media
Dharampur:
Following allegations against Himachal Pradesh Minister Anirudh Singh for assaulting a National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) official, former Union Minister and BJP MP Anurag Thakur expressed his dissatisfaction with the ongoing construction of National Highway-3 (Jalandhar-Mandi via Dharampur).
Anurag Thakur confronted the project director of the construction firm during a public inspection, voicing the community's frustration after two years of delays and poor conditions. His remarks, which have gained traction on social media, highlighted significant shortcomings by BRN Company and insufficient oversight from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
Public Confrontation with Project Director
During his visit to Dharampur, residents shared their grievances with Anurag Thakur, leading him to challenge Project Director Jitendra Pandey. Thakur questioned the repeated failures of retaining walls and demanded to know the location of the company's experts.
“If you have qualified engineers, why are the roads in such disrepair? Why must people use ropes to access their homes?” he inquired, criticizing the hazardous and unfinished roadwork. He accused the company of either gross negligence or collusion with irresponsible contractors.
Accountability and Compensation Demanded
Anurag Thakur was direct in his demands, instructing the company to compensate affected families and to rebuild all collapsed retaining walls. He also required Pandey to attend the Disha Committee meeting on July 15 to explain the delays and damages.
A local woman recounted how her family had been using a rope to reach their home for over six months. Thakur reacted firmly when the company tried to shift blame, stating, “If there’s no path, how can people get home? This is a clear failure on your part.”
Support for Disaster-Affected Families
In addition to addressing construction issues, Anurag Thakur visited several villages in Dharampur that were impacted by recent disasters, including Syathi, Bhadarna, Tanher, and Padhchu, where he met families whose homes and livestock shelters were destroyed by heavy rains on June 30.
In Syathi, 27 homes were completely destroyed, and 38 cowsheds were flattened, though no lives were lost due to timely evacuations prompted by a dog’s barking.
Thakur emphasized the importance of his ‘MP Mobile Health Service,’ which has been providing care to 400-450 patients daily in remote flood-affected areas like Seraj and Dharampur. He pledged ongoing support and announced funding from his MP fund for rebuilding efforts.
Community Calls for Urgent Action
Residents have previously submitted multiple complaints to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, urging stricter measures against negligent contractors. On June 20, villagers in Talyard (Mandi) protested against a MoRTH inspection team, citing ongoing delays and substandard construction.
The problematic section of NH-3, particularly the 22-km stretch between Padhchu and Kumarada, is managed by BRN Company, while Surya Construction oversees the Mandi Bypass to Kotli segment.