The Detailed Project Report (DPR) for the 60-km Palampur-Padhar stretch of the Pathankot-Mandi four-lane highway is nearing completion and is expected to be finalised within 90 days. This marks a significant step in the long-delayed infrastructure project connecting Pathankot to Leh-Ladakh. 

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has appointed a consultant for the report and reduced the DPR timeline from up to a year to just 90 days. Land acquisition and compensation distribution will also follow the same accelerated schedule to keep the project on track. 

Work on the Palampur-Padhar section had been stalled for four years due to the absence of a DPR, hindering land acquisition. Meanwhile, construction on the Pathankot-Palampur and Padhar-Bijni stretches is progressing rapidly and is expected to be completed within a year. 

To prevent speculative land transactions, the NHAI has prohibited the sale or purchase of land along the proposed alignment. Violators risk ineligibility for compensation and potential legal action. 

Spanning 219 km, the Pathankot-Mandi highway is crucial for enhancing connectivity to key defence areas. Once completed, it will shorten the distance between Pathankot and Mandi from 219 km to 171 km. The project has been designed with measures to minimise environmental impact and disruptions to local communities. 

Union Road and Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari had earlier laid the foundation stone for the first 40-km stretch from Pathankot, underscoring the government’s commitment to fast-tracking this strategically important project. 

(Tribune India)