Minister Demands Accountability from NHAI Over Safety Failures and Corruption
In a strong and emotional appeal, a Himachal Pradesh minister has accused officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) of corruption and negligence, saying their actions have endangered lives and denied justice to victims.
“This isn’t just about one incident—it’s a pattern,” said the minister, vowing to take the matter directly to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari. “People have suffered, and those responsible must be held accountable.”
He pointed to a tragic case in Jabli near Solan, where buildings collapsed two years ago, allegedly due to unsafe road construction linked to NHAI projects. Despite the devastation, victims have yet to receive compensation, and no FIR has been filed—reportedly due to pressure from powerful interests.
“I’ve asked the Superintendent of Police to file a named FIR against the officials involved,” the minister said. “Their duty was to ensure safety. Their failure led to disaster.”
He also criticized the lack of action from local authorities, saying complaints to Deputy Commissioners and SDMs have gone unanswered because they lack the power to act against NHAI officials. “People are left helpless. There’s no system to hold these officers accountable at the district level.”
This isn’t the first time the minister has raised concerns about NHAI. He’s previously slammed the agency for poor coordination and reckless construction practices that have triggered landslides, damaged homes, and blocked highways in Shimla and Solan.
Experts have echoed these concerns, warning that highway construction in hill states without proper planning is becoming a serious safety hazard.
