New measures to tackle frequent road blockade on Tanakpur-Pithoragarh National Highway
New measures to tackle frequent road blockade on Tanakpur-Pithoragarh National Highway
B.D.Kasniyal
Pithoragarh, Sept 28
New technical measures are being taken by concerned engineers to open the National Highway Number Nine from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh at Swala which is closed since September 12. The measures will not only make vehicles pass the road but would also able to stop the sinking debris on the road from above hills, informed Dayanand, Chief Engineer of National Highway division looking after the road.
He said that machines have been deployed to remove the deris accumulated above the road. “Our experts team, sent by NH engineers have found that loose mass is deposited at 70 meters above the road and sinking gradually due to gravity and rain pressure, it needs to be pushed towards down to clear the portion from this loose mass of debris,” said the Chief Engineer.
“As over 25 meters portion is sinking continuously at Swala, we have instructed the concerned contractors to change the method to check the sinking of mass from above and construct a RCC wall at the base to stabilise the road for long time,” he said.
According to chief engineer, besides construction of a ramp upside the road the loose mass is also being uploaded to clear the road.” We will open the road today for small vehicles,” claimed the NH Chief Engineer.
The lifeline road of Champawat and border district of Pithoragarh is closed for vehicles from last 14 days due to sinking debris following continuous rains.” This situation has created shortage of essential goods, LPG and vegetables in both these districts as this is only road to link the districts with mainstream markets of Tanakpur, Pilibhit and Haldwani.
Champawat District Magistrate Navnit Pandey has said that a new suspension bridge is also being built at Swala to make an alternate way through.”We have called the bridge from Almora and will be installed soon, “said the DM
The NH from Tanakpur to Pithoragarh, was sanctioned as all weather road by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in the year 2016, at an estimated cost of Rs 1065 crore to give the defence forces deputed at Indo-China border and the local population of s of Champawat and Pithoragarh district better and smooth mobility with an all weather road. ” The rate of landslides and subsequent disturbances in transportation on the road during monsoon, between Tanakpur and Pithoragarh have increased manifold with frequent blockade after the widening work started as compared to times when the road was narrower but better maintained,” said Tapan Rawat, president of Vyapar Sangh in Pithoragarh.
