Shimla-Parwanoo 4-laning runs into bottlenecks.

The proposed four-laning of the 90-km Shimla-Parwanoo section of the National Highway-22 has hit multiple roadblocks. The dispute over the award settlement for the land acquisition is pending in the court of Divisional Commissioner, Shimla while National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) awaits forest clearance from the Environment Ministry.

Also, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has to take a final call whether or not to set up two proposed toll plazas at Salogra and Sanawara on this section. The project is now being executed under an engineering procurement contract (EPC) mode. The project cost has already shot up by 31.2% (from Rs. 2,600 in 2010 to Rs. 3,416 crore) in four years due to slow land acquisition process and other factors, revealed sources.

NHAI is yet to complete targeted 90% land acquisition process, which is mandatory to award the work contract, said top officials.

'The NHAI has moved the court of Divisional Commissioner contesting the land acquisition award given by the Solan Sub-Divisional Magistrate. The dispute is yet to be settled,' said Narender Chauhan, Additional Principal Chief Secretary, PWD. 'The final call on the award of tender will be taken by the Ministry Road Transport after the 90% land acquisition is complete', he said.

The slow land acquisition process and re-alignment of highway from Kathlighat to Dhalli- Mashobra junction, where the road will merge with the Shimla-Narkanda-Kaurik Highway-22, has further delayed the project, said sources. 'The project awaits Green Ministry's clearance,' Chauhan said. Initially, the project was to be built on a build, operate and transfer (BOT) basis, but now it is being built on an EPC mode, said sources.

THE TRIBUNE