Delay in Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh 4-lane project affecting industry, locals: Kashyap

Shimla: Former state BJP president and Shimla MP Suresh Kumar Kashyap on Thursday raised concerns in the Lok Sabha over the delay in the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh four-lane road project in Solan district, calling it a matter of public interest directly linked to industrial activity.Kashyap said the road was a lifeline for Himachal Pradesh's industrial belt, and delays were affecting industries, employment, and residents. The Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh stretch of this road project, launched in April 2022, was scheduled for completion by Sept 2024. Its initial cost of Rs 556 crore later increased to Rs 670 crore, while over Rs 774 crore was already spent. Despite this, the road remains incomplete.The BJP MP highlighted multiple issues along the route, including unfinished stretches, potholes, uneven surfaces, lack of service lanes, and chaotic traffic, causing daily jams. Thousands of workers face delays, patients and ambulances are hindered, and schoolchildren, women, and the elderly experience hours of inconvenience, leading to stress, wasted time, and financial losses, he added.The parliamentarian noted that heavy rains, floods, and landslides previously damaged the road, but construction still did not progress as expected. Citing contractor negligence, delayed approvals and administrative inefficiency, Kashyap urged the central govt to disclose the current status, provide a stage-wise completion plan, and set a final timeline to ensure timely relief for industry and citizens.MSID:: 128254296 413 |