Complete tarring of NH-5 amid Bitumen shortage, weather disruptions
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source internet
Shimla, June 25
Himachal Pradesh High Court has granted the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department 15 more days to complete the pending tarring work on the old Hindustan-Tibet National Highway after the department tendered an apology for the delay, attributing it to prolonged adverse weather and disruption in bitumen supply from refineries.
Hearing the matter on June 15, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice Gurmeet Singh Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi accepted the affidavit filed by Superintending Engineer Atul Jyoti, who assured the court that the remaining tarring work would be completed by June 30, subject to regular supply of bitumen and conducive weather conditions.
The affidavit stated that the contractor commenced tarring work on April 28 and completed a five-kilometre stretch between Km 32 and Km 38. However, continuous rainfall and heavy hailstorms from May 1 to May 23 forced suspension of work. The work resumed between May 25 and May 29 but had to be stopped again due to fresh rainfall from May 30 to June 4. Tarring operations restarted on June 7 after improvement in weather conditions.
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The department also informed the court that bitumen was not available from the Panipat and Bathinda refineries, affecting the execution of the project. Necessary correspondence regarding the shortage has been placed on record.
The explanation supplements the earlier stand taken before the High Court that the supply chain had also been affected by the international situation arising from the US-Iran conflict, resulting in delayed availability of bitumen for road works.
Tendering an unconditional apology, the department assured the bench that every effort would be made to complete the pending work by June 30. Photographs showing the progress of work were also produced before the court.
Taking note of the undertaking, the High Court refrained from enforcing the earlier order imposing costs of Rs 25,000 on the department. The bench observed that the costs would not be recovered provided the work is completed within the promised deadline.
The matter has now been listed for July 15, 2026, when the court will review compliance with the undertaking and verify whether the tarring work has been completed as assured.
The case is part of the High Court’s continuing monitoring of the condition of the old Hindustan-Tibet Highway, a vital road serving the apple-producing belt of Shimla and the hydroelectric project areas of Kinnaur.
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