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Rain-damaged roads a setback for Dharamsala
by Hemant Chauhan

          Dharamsala: Rains and flash floods have damaged the roads in Himachal Pradesh and affected tourism, especially in Dharamsala the poor condition of the roads is a major turn off for visitors. The roads have become cracked and potholed. Several travel agencies and hotels complaining to have incurred heavy losses. A large number of tourists from across the country and different parts of the world visit Dharamsala, especially the McLoed Ganj, home to Tibetan spiritual leader-in-exile Dalai Lama. The hill station is part of Himachal Pradesh's Kangra Valley. Many tourists are expressing disappointment while visiting here. Georgia, a foreign tourist, said: "I think condition of the roads makes it difficult for us, the tourists to travel. It doesn't make easier for us to travel from one place to another. Roads are very long and not straight, so, every ride takes time. And, the condition of roads is not comfortable. I find myself tired after a few hours of drive." Rohit, another visitor, said: "Some roads, particularly in Kangra Valley, need construction while some are quite managed. These are last days of monsoon and majority of the roads that appear to be in really bad condition." Local tour operators and taxi drivers blame the local authorities over the upkeep of roads during monsoon season. "The roads are really bad here. Lot of tourists come and visit the Kangra valley during this time but due to bad roads and lack of proper parking facility, they have to suffer a lot. The Government is also doing nothing to improve the conditions," said Goldy, a taxi driver.

          The rains in Himachal Pradesh this time are believed to have caused losses and damages to the tune of several crores. The worst-affected things include roads, water supply schemes, houses, bridges and culverts. The road leading to Dharamsala has badly-damaged due to excessive downpour despite repair and patch-up work. Losses worth rupees 86 crores have been incurred in Kangra Valley alone. The State's Public Works Department (PWD), meanwhile, is waiting for the monsoon season to end so that the repair work for roads could be resumed in full-fledged way. Public Works Department of the State are giving assurance to complete the needful within two months of time. It admits to the lapses in the work executed by private contractors. RS Kanwar, Chief Engineer with the Public Works Department, North zone, Dharamsala. "After the rains, most of the roads get damaged. We have initiated steps for the road repairs, it is hoped to be over within two months." He said: "Traffic was restored within 15 days. Similarly, some of the other small culverts were also damaged where traffic was suspended for a day or so. But the traffic was immediately restored." In Himachal Pradesh's northern region, the total length of roads is 84,000 kilometres. It includes Kangra, Chamba and Una Districts of the State. In Kangra, the total length of roads is nearly 5,000 kilometres and most of the stretches are in a pitiable condition. Kangra witnesses over eight lakh tourists including pilgrims visiting the numerous temples in the region.
- September 2,  2007