*DOPTI (CHOPAL): In their bid to bring the deplorable plight their road connectivity issues to his notice, villagers from Shilgrahan-Hiragdhar in Shantha Pargana and Pabaas in Mashroan gram panchayat of the Chopal subdivision of Himachal Pradesh halted the motorcade of Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh here today, bringing attention to the pathetic condition of the Dopti-Pabaas Road and Pabaas-Kenchi-Shilgrahan-Hiragdhar-Lastadhar road- their life line.

Vikramaditya Singh was today on his way from Shimla to Chopal to assess road restoration efforts. His cavalcade passed through several villages, including Ghorna, Deha, Chambi, Khirki, and Dopti, where he received an enthusiastic reception.

He also addressed grievances of people at Chopal, Nerwa and addressed the public affirming his commitment to deliver promises of the government to the public.

Led by veteran journalist and Editor-in-Chief of HimbuMail, Kuldeep Chauhan, along with Mashroan's   Pradhan, Virender Dhanta, former Vice-Pradhan Pradip Banchaik, retired Naib Tehsildar Beli Ram Sadoli, Prem Bhagta, and other concerned villagers, the villagers lined up at Dopti where Vikramaditya Singh stopped his motorcade. They appealed to the Minister for immediate action from the Public Works Department (PWD) as they continue to struggle for bus service even after 76 of Independence.

The Dopti-Pabaas Road was constructed 21 years ago by former Chief Minister Late Virbhadra Singh that provided a lifeline to the neglected areas in Shilgrahan-Hiragdhar (Shantha Pargana) in Dewat panchayat and Pabaas-Baktari Shilikian in Mashroan panchayat. However, over the years, the condition of this road has deteriorated significantly, resembling more of a rocky path than a proper road.

Supported by Chopal Congress leader Rajneesh Kimta, who accompanied Vikramaditya Singh,  villagers also emphasized the dire situation on the Pabaas-Kenchi-Shilgrahan-Hiragdhar-Lastadhar road, which is blocked at Kuia, causing apples to rot in orchards.

Shockingly, this road lacks culverts, drainage, and proper tar, with no bus service despite two decades having passed.

The Pabaas-Kenchi-Shilgrahan-Hiragdhar road, a lifeline for the villagers, remains under Forest Department control as a bridal path dating back to British times. Local residents demanded its transfer to the PWD for regular maintenance and funding.

The villagers shared their frustration, explaining that whenever they approached the PWD or Forest Department, officials shifted blame to each other, resulting in no action. Despite Forest Department spending Rs 50 lakh on the Chopal-Pabaas road, no progress has been made.

The condition of the Dopti-Pabaas road is equally distressing, as the PWD claims to lack funds for maintenance. This has forced villagers to incur exorbitant transportation costs, exceeding ₹130 per box for apple transportation to Parwanoo, making it one of the highest in the state for such distances.

Even though Chief Minister Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu promised funds for link roads in Chopal, the road between Giyarshan and Hiragdhar remains unrestored so far. 

Following a patient hearing, PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh sought responses from Chief Engineer Shimla and Executive Engineer Chopal. PWD offices explained that NABARD has no funds for the Dopti-Pabaas Road, a statement refuted by the locals who believe NABARD is the primary funding source for such projects and thing like shortage unpalatable.

Vikramaditya Singh assured the villagers of immediate action and directed the PWD to restore and tar the Dopti to Papas stretch and maintain the Pabaas-Kanchi to Shilgrahan-Hiragdhar-Lastadhar roads. The villagers welcomed this direction that he noted in the application and resolution submitted to the PWD Minister. 

While the Lastadhar-Kufar road falls under the PWD, villagers in Hiragdhar and Shilgrahan continue to suffer. They reject the claim that NABARD lacks funds, insisting it's a misleading tactic.

The villagers demand swift action to alleviate their distress, putting an end to their long-standing transportation woes.

The fate of the Pabaas-Shilikain-Khelpur Road is no different, with no HRTC bus services even after 76 years of Independence.

In reality, the road from Dopti to Hiragdhar-Lastdhar-Dewat-Jhiknipur and from Dopti-Pabas-Shilikain-Khelpul provides the shortest route to Bamta and Ghurla panchayats as well.

Without government intervention, villagers continue to bear the burden of an inadequate transport system, impacting their daily lives and medical emergencies.

The people of the two panchayats urgently call for attention and a swift resolution to their connectivity issues from the PWD Minister.