Almora: Ongoing road widening work on the Almora-Haldwani National Highway (NH-109) in the Kwairab area has turned hazardous for commuters due to alleged negligence by the contractor, Chaudhary Construction Company. Despite clear safety guidelines, the firm is carrying out high-risk hill-cutting and debris removal operations during daytime, triggering frequent rockfalls and boulder movements that threaten passing vehicles and pedestrians.
According to National Highway Authority norms and standard safety protocols for such mountainous projects, dangerous activities like blasting, cutting, and loose material clearance should be conducted at night to minimise disruption to daytime traffic and protect road users. However, the contractor has been executing these works in broad daylight, when heavy vehicles, private cars, buses, and local commuters ply the route in large numbers.
Multiple incidents of falling boulders and debris have already been reported, narrowly missing vehicles on several occasions. Daytime closures of the highway to manage the risk have caused hours-long traffic jams, leaving travellers—many of them pilgrims and tourists—stranded and frustrated. Local residents and drivers have expressed growing anger over the contractor’s disregard for basic precautions.
Official Response and Notice Issued
Sources indicate that departmental oversight has been inadequate, allowing the contractor to proceed with minimal supervision. In response to repeated complaints, the National Highway Division, Ranikhet, has issued a formal notice to Chaudhary Construction Company for violating safety regulations.
Executive Engineer Ashok Chaudhary of the NH Division, Ranikhet, confirmed the action: “A notice has been issued to the contractor. Such negligence will not be tolerated.”
Commuters and locals have demanded immediate enforcement of night-time operations, installation of proper warning signage, deployment of traffic marshals during work hours, and regular site inspections by senior officials. They warn that continued laxity could lead to a major accident in the Kwairab stretch, which is already prone to landslides and rockfalls during the monsoon season.
The Almora-Haldwani highway (NH-109) is a vital lifeline connecting the Kumaon region to the plains, handling significant tourist and commercial traffic. The widening project is intended to improve connectivity and reduce travel time, but safety lapses have undermined public confidence in its execution.
Authorities have assured that strict compliance will now be monitored, with potential penalties or suspension of work if violations persist. Until corrective measures are fully implemented, travellers on this stretch are advised to exercise extreme caution, especially during daylight hours when construction is active.
