Shamti bypass in Solan nearing completion

Solan, July 13

Nearly six years after its construction was initiated, the much-awaited 5.14-km Shamti Bypass in Solan city is nearing completion.

Barely 2 per cent work like tarring of the road still to be done, officials expect it to complete in the next few week. The completion of the bypass was keenly awaited as it would help decongest Solan city by providing an alternative road to the motorists, who would not have to pass through the congested Mall Road.

The project, conceived in 2015, hit several roadblocks and failed to meet several deadlines. It was initially supposed to be completed in 2017 but several impediments delayed its completion. Besides a 5.14-km double lane road, a bridge has been constructed on the bypass.

A sum of about Rs 26 crore has been incurred on its construction. Vehicles coming from Rajgarh and other areas of Sirmaur and Shimla districts can use it to reach the highway. The residents of Solan city can bypass the congested roads of Solan city and reach the highway within minutes once its construction is completed.

Arvind Sharma, Executive Engineer, Public Works Department, Solan, said: “Barely 2 per cent work on the Shamti bypass is pending and it is likely to be completed in the next few weeks.”

He said, once completed, it would facilitate the movement of heavy vehicles coming from Sirmaur and Shimla as they can reach the highway by bypassing the Solan city.