Himachal: Banjar residents fight to repair NH-305

Himachal Pradesh: Frustrated with government neglect, residents of Banjar will hit the streets on April 1 to protest against the poor condition of the Aut-Jalori section of NH-305 (Aut-Luhri national highway). Despite appeals to the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the state government and the Centre for over two decades, the condition of the highway remains pathetic, forcing locals to take action. Residents have come together under the banner of NH-305 Sangharsh Samiti and announced a protest, for which a formal protest notice has already been submitted to the Public Works Minister, NHAI and other officials. “We have urged the authorities to repair this important highway for many years, but our concerns have been ignored. We have now submitted our demands to the Banjar SDM and NHAI. If no action is taken, we will intensify our protest,” said retired Captain Kishan Chand, coordinator of the NH-305 Sangharsh Samiti. The protest has received widespread support from local organisations, taxi unions, panchayats and community groups. An important road in ruins
The stretch of NH-305 from Aut to Jalori Pass is a lifeline for locals and a vital route for tourism and economic activities. Lalit, a resident of Jibhi, stressed the strategic importance of the highway, saying it connects NH-03 and NH-05, making it crucial for travel, trade and emergency services. However, its narrow, dilapidated condition has made commuting dangerous, especially for students, employees, tourists and emergency responders. Jagdish, another resident of Banjar, criticised the inaction of the authorities, saying, “People are left with no option but to protest now. We are fed up with empty promises.” Over the past decade, hundreds of people have lost their lives in accidents due to the poor condition of NH-305. Though the highway was declared a national highway in 2012, the widening project is still stalled and the proposed Jalori Pass tunnel is still under construction.