According to the PWD engineers, Shimla-Kufri-Narkanda-Rampur, Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru, Theog-Deha-Chopal and other roads have been restored for traffic and HRTC buss were sent on trial on the Shimla-Kufri-Fagu-Narkanda-Rampur highway. The small vehicles plied normally on the roads as the PWD has spread the sand on the roads to check skidding on the ice layer of the road, the engineers said, giving credit to Er Archana Thakur, who acted swiftly and launched the massive road restoration operation across the state.
It was not a small task as over 1051 roads, including 6 National Highway spanning 5000 kms road length were closed due to the heavy snow ranging from two ft to four at the high road stretches. It was due to its early preparedness that PWD opened 289 of roads on same day even though it was snowing that day by deploying 495 of machineries included 63 JCBs of department and 336 JCBs hired from private contractors, 40 Dozers and 56 tippers of department, said the PWD spokesperson.
The deputy commissioner Shimla Aditya Negi along with PWD engineers and other staff supervised the road restoration operation by visiting the highway till Narakanda and other places to ensure that the roads were safe for traffic.
On 4th February there was continuous heavy snowfall and movement of the traffic was disrupted, the departmental machineries worked even overnight till the morning of 5th February and major stretch were cleared and spreading of sand was also done, PWD stated. “On 4th and 5th February it was ensured that the tourist vehicles were evacuated safely from Shimla city with the help of Police department”.
PWD said due to heavy snow fall on 3rd February, 326 roads were closed out of which 37 roads were opened on the same day by deploying 237 machines including JCBs of department and private contractors. Even PWD officials on leave were called back to resume the snow-clearing operation next day in anticipation of fresh snowfall on the 4th.
He said sincere efforts of the department officers and officials made it possible for opening such large number of roads in a record time and inconvenience to the large public of the state was avoided.
