DC reviews NH 707 widening project

A critical meeting was held yesterday, chaired by Sirmaur Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta to address challenges arising from the widening of National Highway (NH) 707, spanning Paonta Sahib to Gumma. Discussions focused on mitigating environmental damage and safeguarding essential public resources.

Deputy Commissioner Khimta highlighted directives from the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), stressing the urgent restoration of natural water sources, irrigation systems, and drinking water schemes disrupted during the project. He called for immediate action to prevent further inconvenience to affected communities.

Emphasising strict monitoring, Khimta directed officials to ensure construction quality adheres to established standards. He warned that negligence or irregularities would lead to disciplinary measures.

To address issues related to road-cutting and undercutting, he ordered joint inspections by Subdivisional Magistrates, revenue officers and officials from the mining and Jal Shakti departments in affected areas. These inspections aim to ensure excavation follows regulatory norms and to address any undercutting promptly, preventing long-term environmental degradation. The DC stressed minimising public inconvenience and ensuring the project progresses without further disruptions.