Times News NetworkLudhiana: A day after issuing a show-cause notice to the project director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Project Implementation Unit, Ludhiana, over potholes on the national highway, Khanna SDM Swati Tiwana has directed the authority to immediately repair damaged stretches falling under the Khanna sub-division.The action comes in the wake of the death of Ratanheri village sarpanch Amarjit Singh, who was killed in a road accident on Aug 6 allegedly due to a large pothole on the highway. Singh reportedly fell after hitting the pothole and was crushed by a passing vehicle.In response to the notice, NHAI informed the administration that maintenance of the highway had been entrusted to an operation and maintenance (O&M) contractor. The authority said instructions had already been issued for the immediate repair of potholes and that additional monitoring and patrolling were being carried out during the monsoon season.Unsatisfied with a routine response, the SDM directed NHAI to conduct a fresh survey of the entire stretch under its jurisdiction in Khanna and identify all potholes, damaged road portions and other defects. The authority has been told to ensure immediate repairs to all vulnerable spots.The administration has also asked NHAI to take preventive measures at locations prone to waterlogging and to intensify inspections and patrolling during the rainy season to prevent accidents.Tiwana directed NHAI to submit a compliance report within 48 hours of receiving the order. The report must be signed by an authorised NHAI or O&M contractor official and include details of all locations where repair work has been completed.
