The 4Star-9Rattan Blog

 Sunday Special-Uddami-The un-Cut Diamond! I n the year 1965 I was posted as Subdivisional Engineer in the erstwhile state 0f Punjab in the Public works department with headquarters at Kulu. As a gazetted officer my salary was Rs.315/-per month. The daily wages of the labour were Rs 1.25 for girl coolie,Rs.1.50 for boy coolie,Rs.2 or women collie,Rs.2.50-man coolie. A mason used to get Rs.5 /-and a Firstclass mason Rs.10/- A bridge was under construction departmentally (Not through Contractual agency),between Aut and Laji on Aut Banjar Jalori pass road.(A portion of road Linking Kulu and Shimla) popularly known as Luri-Aut road (Picture for representational purpose only) Whenever I came for inspection dominant among the labour was a boy named Uddami. My eyes would catch him first, he used to be in tatters and one could have a glimpse of his beautiful body through holes in his torn shirt. (Abutment of the bridge under construction) One of the  Abutments of the bridge was und

  Sultan of The Roads! Public Works Department Rest Hose Pandoh Himachal Pradesh India Pandoh Aut Road-Portion of Mandi Manaali Road in Himachal Pradesh India It was the year 1965,before reorganisation of Punjab I was posted as Sub Division Engineer Public Works Department with headquarter at Kulu. My jurisdiction extended from Pathankot to Manali. Aut to Jalodi Pass,Bajar to Bathaad,Larji to Beshlow Pass.On Patankot Road -Manali road important towns en -route were Baijnath, Joginder Nagar, Mandi,Pandoh Aut Katrain. The entire road was a Two-lane road except a portion between Pandoh and Aut which was a single lane .There were Barriers at Pandoh and Aut. The traffic was released alternately from each end after every two hours. A bridge was under construction in between. There was no space for diversion and to keep the traffic going, and simultaneous construction of bridge,on both sides of the bridge Ramps were made and a Bailey bridge (borrowed from the Army )was provided. U