{
  "type": "article",
  "title": "Dust And Sharp Stones Cover Somesar-Panota Stretch In Pali Despite ₹46 Crore Budget As Contractor Halts Work",
  "summary": "Commuters face severe hardships along the 29-kilometre Somesar-Panota route in Pali district after the contractor halted construction on the ₹46 crore road project, triggering frequent accidents and tyre blowouts.",
  "content": "A 29-kilometre road stretch connecting Somesar to Panota in Rajasthan's Pali district has turned into a major hazard for travellers following the suspension of construction activities. Despite a substantial financial outlay of ₹46 crore allocated for this connectivity project, the corridor remains in an alarming state of disrepair. The passage is littered with sharp aggregate stones and enveloped in thick dust, creating severe driving risks and leaving motorists vulnerable to serious injuries on a regular basis.\n\nCabbies Refuse Trips Over Vehicle Damage\nThe stalled road construction has crippled local transit systems and isolated several connected rural pockets. Mehboob, a commercial taxi operator running vehicles from the Somesar railway station, stated that the continuous presence of sharp stones and airborne grit severely impacts vehicular durability. Tyres suffer heavy wear, suspensions deteriorate rapidly, and maintenance expenses mount swiftly. In response to these operational hazards, drivers have begun declining passenger trips along this road, leaving daily commuters without dependable transport options.\n\nCommuters Suffer Serious Injuries In Slippery Conditions\nThe loose gravel and unpaved surface make two-wheelers especially prone to skidding. Chhogaram Choudhary recounted an incident from September 18, when he was riding towards Septawas from Khiwada with his wife. Due to the loose aggregate spread haphazardly across the surface, his motorcycle slipped out of control. While his wife sustained bodily abrasions, Choudhary suffered a fractured arm. Choudhary pointed out that administrative indifference and lack of public representation continue to push local residents into hospital emergency wards.\n\nTyre Explosions And Demands For Direct Agitation\nPrivate cars navigating the route face severe tyre failures due to the unrolled stone bed. Hukamsingh Septawas, president of the Marwar Yuva Sangharsh Samiti, stated that a tyre on his own vehicle burst while traversing this unfinished stretch. He noted that a major tragedy was avoided only because the car was moving at a slow speed at the time. Issuing an ultimatum to authorities, Hukamsingh warned that repeated road accidents will no longer be tolerated and that local residents will launch a widespread public agitation if construction does not resume promptly.\n\nPending Dues And Asphalt Escalation Stall Project\nAddressing the prolonged delay and brewing public resentment, Public Works Department AEN Praveen Kumar clarified the financial bottlenecks behind the stoppage. Praveen Kumar stated that the contractor halted operations primarily over unpaid government dues and steep increases in commercial asphalt market rates. To resolve the funding gap, a formal requisition letter has been dispatched to the PWD headquarters seeking the release of the necessary budget. Officials stated that work will resume as soon as the financial clearance arrives.\n\nWhat this means for you\nThe stalled road construction between Somesar and Panota directly impacts everyday commuting costs, travel accessibility, and personal safety for local motorists.\n\n• Across Rajasthan: Administrative bottlenecks and delayed project disbursements stall rural infrastructure, restricting rural citizens from accessing core regional hubs. Unfinished road corridors create broader transit hurdles and compromise regional road safety.\n• In Pali: Commuters travelling between Somesar, Khiwada, Septawas, and Panota face serious physical injury risks from skidding on loose stones. Taxi operators avoiding the route force commuters to seek costlier transit alternatives, while vehicle owners bear elevated repair costs from tyre damage.\n\nWhy this happened\nConstruction on the 29-kilometre Somesar-Panota road corridor ground to a halt due to an unresolved financial dispute between the contractor and the state department.\n\n• Pending Contractor Dues: The primary trigger for the stoppage is the state's delay in clearing the contractor's outstanding bills. Without the clearance of prior invoices, the contractor refused to proceed with physical construction.\n• Escalating Bitumen Costs: Commercial asphalt prices spiked in the open market, making execution financially unviable under the previous cost structure. The contractor cited this raw material price surge as an obstacle to continuing operations.\n• Awaiting Headquarter Clearance: The local division of the Public Works Department has forwarded an official requisition to PWD headquarters to secure the pending funds. Physical progress remains frozen until higher authorities disburse the requested budget.\n\nQuestions & Answers\n\n1. What is the sanctioned budget for the Somesar to Panota road project?\nA budget of ₹46 crore was allocated for constructing this 29-kilometre stretch.\n\n2. Why has the contractor stopped working on the road?\nThe contractor halted operations due to uncleared payment dues and a sharp increase in market prices for asphalt.\n\n3. Why are local taxi drivers refusing to carry passengers along this stretch?\nOperators report that sharp loose stones and dust clouds cause severe vehicle wear, component breakdowns, and tyre damage.\n\n4. What happened to Chhogaram Choudhary on September 18?\nHis motorcycle skidded on loose road gravel while travelling between Khiwada and Septawas, injuring his wife and fracturing his arm.\n\n5. What warning did the Marwar Yuva Sangharsh Samiti issue?\nIts president, Hukamsingh Septawas, warned that local residents will stage widespread street agitations if construction does not resume quickly.\n\n6. What step has the Public Works Department taken to resolve the stoppage?\nPWD AEN Praveen Kumar stated that a formal letter has been sent to department headquarters requesting funds to clear pending dues and resume construction.",
  "url": "https://trendkia.com/en/rajasthan/pali-men-somesar-se-panota-marga-para-46-karora-rupaye-kharcha-hone-ke-bada-bhi-ura-rahi-dhula-thekedara-ne-roka-kama-38460",
  "category": "Rajasthan",
  "publishedAt": "2026-09-25",
  "tags": [
    "Pali",
    "Road Construction",
    "PWD",
    "Road Accidents",
    "Rajasthan News",
    "Somesar"
  ],
  "language": "en",
  "site": "TrendKia"
}