Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source internet
Shimla, Aug 6
Himachal Pradesh High Court has sought a status report from the state government on the proposed construction of a motorable bridge over Bakhali Khad on the Lambathch-Kalhani-Pandoh road in Mandi district, observing that the bridge, which earlier existed at the site, had been washed away, leaving several panchayats without road connectivity.
Hearing a public interest petition filed by Shusham and others, a Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin C. Negi on August 4 issued notice to the State and directed it to place on record the present status of the project.
Senior Advocate Ankush Dass Sood, assisted by Advocate Nand Lal Thakur, appeared for the petitioners, while Additional Advocate General Varun Chandel accepted notice on behalf of the State.
During the hearing, the petitioners submitted that administrative approval for construction of the motorable bridge had already been accorded on March 31, 2026, at an estimated cost of Rs 22 crore. They pointed out that photographs placed on record showed that the earlier bridge had been washed away.
Referring to documents filed with the petition, the petitioners contended that the missing bridge had provided connectivity to around 12 to 15 panchayats and that its absence had left residents without proper road access. They also informed the court that only a footbridge is presently available at the site.
The Additional Advocate General sought time to obtain instructions regarding the current status of the sanctioned project, including whether any tender had been issued after the administrative approval.
Accepting the request, the Bench directed the State to furnish the relevant details and listed the matter for further hearing on September 2, 2026.
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