PWD dismantles illegal structures for Mandi-Rewalsar road-widening project

The Public Works Department (PWD) yesterday removed illegal structures along the Mandi-Rewalsar road in Mandi district, as part of its efforts to facilitate the ongoing road widening project funded by the World Bank. The action aims to reclaim government land that has been encroached upon.

For the past several months, the Mandi-Rewalsar road is being widened by DK Construction Company. However, PWD officials have reported extensive encroachments along the highway, particularly from the Chief Engineer’s office to the Sakodi bridge, where numerous residents and businesses have built unauthorised structures on government property.

The PWD has served notices on 16 individuals, who have encroached government land. Among these, two have filed objections against the notices. The authorities have instructed these encroachers to voluntarily remove the illegal portions of their residential and commercial properties. The department will take legal action if they fail to do so.

Executive Engineer (XEN) DK Verma said that cooperation from the public had been instrumental in the execution of the project. He added, “The Mandi-Rewalsar road is a vital infrastructure project that requires a clear and unobstructed path. We are committed to ensuring that the road is widened as planned, and illegal structures are removed.”

He said that the PWD was focusing on areas from the Chief Engineer’s office to the Prison on the Jail Road.