Dharampur MLA Ends Fast Following Deputy CM’s Assurance

The protest was staged against delays in the construction of the Chandrasekhar National Highway.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri visited the disaster-affected Dharampur subdivision of Mandi district today to assess the damage caused by recent heavy rains and floods in the Son Khad area. He directed officials to expedite relief and rehabilitation efforts and ensure prompt assistance to the affected residents.

The Deputy CM also visited Awah Devi Chowk, where Dharampur MLA Chandrashekhar had been on a hunger strike for the past nine days. The MLA was protesting delays and poor construction quality in the development of National Highway 3 (Mandi–Jalandhar), a project under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).

Agnihotri assured the protesting MLA that the concerns raised were valid and that the state government was fully committed to resolving the issues. He added that the matter had already been escalated to the highest levels of the central government.

Following the assurance, MLA Chandrashekhar ended his hunger strike. The Deputy CM, along with Chief Parliamentary Secretary Kewal Singh Pathania, formally concluded the protest by offering him juice.

Addressing the media, Agnihotri stated that local residents and the MLA had repeatedly raised concerns regarding the highway’s construction quality and safety. He criticized the construction agencies for substandard work and warned that unless the implementing agencies provide concrete commitments on quality and timelines, the state government may consider halting ongoing work in the affected areas. He further noted that discussions with the central ministry and project officials were ongoing and that the state may demand the replacement of negligent officers.

MLA Chandrashekhar expressed gratitude for the public support he received during his fast and reiterated his commitment to continue fighting for a permanent solution to the highway’s issues.

During the visit, the SDM (Civil) and senior officials from relevant departments were instructed to closely monitor and report on the progress of both relief and construction activities.