Shimla, July 16:
Residents affected by the Shimla four-lane project staged a strong protest today outside the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) office at Chakkar. Organized under the banners of CITU and the Himachal Kisan Sabha, the protestors voiced their anger over unscientific road cutting, illegal dumping, and delays in compensation.
Villagers from nine panchayats, stretching from Kaithlighat to Dhalli, participated in the demonstration. They claimed that the construction work has caused direct damage to their homes, farmlands, access roads, and drinking water sources due to unsafe and unscientific construction practices. Several homes, they said, have already been declared unsafe.
The protestors further alleged that NHAI and its contractors are violating employment norms by failing to provide the mandated 80% local employment. Additionally, they raised concerns over unchecked illegal mining, violations of labour laws, and the lack of action regarding the repair and rehabilitation of damaged homes.
The affected residents submitted a memorandum of demands to NHAI officials and warned that if their concerns are not addressed soon, they will escalate the protest into a larger public movement.
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