Rural roads in Kasauli that were dug up for laying pipes have become virtual death traps because they have not been repaired for nearly two years. Contractors have abandoned the repair work, citing the high cost of bitumen and the lack of timely payment by the state government.
Sukhi Jori-Sanawar road remains unrepaired after pipe laying
The Sukhi Jori-Sanawar road, which connects Dharampur to Kasauli, has not been repaired since the Jal Shakti Department dug it up to lay pipes about two years ago. According to the original story, the work was allotted twice in the past four months, but contractors could not get the road repaired because they were not assured in writing that they would be compensated for the high price of bitumen.
Contractors blame high bitumen cost and delayed payments
Contractors say the lack of timely payment has also hindered the progress of the repair work. Without a written guarantee that they will be paid extra for the increased cost of bitumen, they are unwilling to take up the job. This has left the road in a dangerous condition for commuters.
Chabal-Gorti-Kanda-Subathu link road becomes a danger zone
The situation is even worse on the Chabal-Gorti-Kanda-Subathu link road in the Kasauli subdivision. A contractor dug up about a 100-metre stretch of this road, and it has now become a danger zone. The road has not been repaired, creating a serious safety hazard for residents and vehicles using it.
Our Take: Poor planning and lack of accountability put lives at risk
In our view, this is a clear case of poor planning and lack of accountability. When a government department digs up a road for pipe laying, it is their responsibility to ensure the road is restored to its original condition. Leaving roads unrepaired for two years is not just negligence — it is a direct threat to public safety. The state government needs to step in, ensure timely payments to contractors, and fix the pricing issue for bitumen. Until then, the people of Kasauli will continue to risk their lives on these death traps.
