Chief Minister Mr Virbhadra Singh said that despite tough topographical conditions, the state government was making consistent efforts for construction of roads as these were the only life-line of the people of this hilly state which also play an important role in economic growth and social development. Roads were the only medium of the transport in the state, and government was committed to provide connectivity to the remotest village in the State.
He was speaking during review meeting of national highways and Central Road Fund (CRF) works in the state, which was also attended by the Union Health Minister Mr J.P Nadda on behalf of the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways of India.
The Chief Minister urged the union ministry of road transport and highways for handing over the maintenance of roads under Border Roads Organization (BRO) to the state public works department as these roads needed to be repaired twice in a year once after snowfall and once after rainy season was over.
He demanded for maintenance and broadening of old Hindustan-Tibet national highway in Kinnaur district which was the only permanent and reliable solution for many years to come. He also requested for a survey to be conducted soon to explore possibilities of constructing tunnel between Chamunda to Holi which would not only considerably reduce the distance between Chamba and Kangra districts but would also ensure all weather connectivity.
The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh had around 66 percent forest land and therefore almost for every project, forest clearance was required. The state had already taken up the matter with the union government to empower state government for giving permissions up to minimum five hectares of area including roads, which would help in completing the projects well in time besides cutting down the unnecessary expenditure.
He also urged the union government for allotment of more funds for roads and road safety works for the state.
Union Minister Mr J.P Nadda stressed that works on the national highways should be expedited and completed in time bound manner besides ensuring timely repair and maintenance. He suggested that state government should look for constructing concrete roads which could be more meaningful especially in the snowbound areas.
Mr Nadda assured that union ministry of road transport and highways would consider re-opening of old Hindustan-Tibet national highway as a parallel road besides exploring possibilities of tunnel between Chamunda to Holi.
He also ensured that the central ministry would sanction financial assistance for the Kiratpur-Ner Chok road project on 50:50 cost ratio with the state Government.
It was agreed in the meeting that Nahan and Reckong Peo would also be connected with national highways.
The state government raised the issue of declaring Una-Jahu, Barsar-Jahu, Jahu-Kalkhar, Theog-Rohru, Sarkaghat-Ghumarwin, Ranital-Kotla, Kumarhatti-Nahan, Draman-Sinhuta and Bhawarna-Lambagaon roads as national highways as these were major roads in the state for which land acquisition has already been done by the state on its own expenses.
It was informed that work on construction of Chikni Khud bridge was completed whereas work on bridges of Bathu and Bajgar Khad was nearing completion.
The state Government also urged for strengthening and improvement of Nauni-Brahampukhar, Kandraur-Bamta, Mehali-Shoghi-Dhalli, Chirgaon-Dodra Kwar-Netwar, Kolar-Bilaspur, Patasri-Shtrauntha-Tikkar roads.
The Chief Minister and the Union Minister also released the H.P Government Rural Roads Maintenance Policy, 2015 brought out by the state public works department.
Principal Secretary (PWD) Mr Narender Chauhan conducted the proceedings of the meeting.
Members of Parliament Mr Virender Kashyap and Mr Ram Swarup Sharma, Additional Chief Secretaries Mr V.C Pharka, Mr Tarun Mrdhar and Mr P.C Dhiman, Chief Engineer (North), MoRTH Mr A.K Mrvastva, other senior officers of the state and government of India attended the meeting.
The Chief Minister urged the union ministry of road transport and highways for handing over the maintenance of roads under Border Roads Organization (BRO) to the state public works department as these roads needed to be repaired twice in a year once after snowfall and once after rainy season was over.
He demanded for maintenance and broadening of old Hindustan-Tibet national highway in Kinnaur district which was the only permanent and reliable solution for many years to come. He also requested for a survey to be conducted soon to explore possibilities of constructing tunnel between Chamunda to Holi which would not only considerably reduce the distance between Chamba and Kangra districts but would also ensure all weather connectivity.
The Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh had around 66 percent forest land and therefore almost for every project, forest clearance was required. The state had already taken up the matter with the union government to empower state government for giving permissions up to minimum five hectares of area including roads, which would help in completing the projects well in time besides cutting down the unnecessary expenditure.
He also urged the union government for allotment of more funds for roads and road safety works for the state.
Union Minister Mr J.P Nadda stressed that works on the national highways should be expedited and completed in time bound manner besides ensuring timely repair and maintenance. He suggested that state government should look for constructing concrete roads which could be more meaningful especially in the snowbound areas.
Mr Nadda assured that union ministry of road transport and highways would consider re-opening of old Hindustan-Tibet national highway as a parallel road besides exploring possibilities of tunnel between Chamunda to Holi.
He also ensured that the central ministry would sanction financial assistance for the Kiratpur-Ner Chok road project on 50:50 cost ratio with the state Government.
It was agreed in the meeting that Nahan and Reckong Peo would also be connected with national highways.
The state government raised the issue of declaring Una-Jahu, Barsar-Jahu, Jahu-Kalkhar, Theog-Rohru, Sarkaghat-Ghumarwin, Ranital-Kotla, Kumarhatti-Nahan, Draman-Sinhuta and Bhawarna-Lambagaon roads as national highways as these were major roads in the state for which land acquisition has already been done by the state on its own expenses.
It was informed that work on construction of Chikni Khud bridge was completed whereas work on bridges of Bathu and Bajgar Khad was nearing completion.
The state Government also urged for strengthening and improvement of Nauni-Brahampukhar, Kandraur-Bamta, Mehali-Shoghi-Dhalli, Chirgaon-Dodra Kwar-Netwar, Kolar-Bilaspur, Patasri-Shtrauntha-Tikkar roads.
The Chief Minister and the Union Minister also released the H.P Government Rural Roads Maintenance Policy, 2015 brought out by the state public works department.
Principal Secretary (PWD) Mr Narender Chauhan conducted the proceedings of the meeting.
Members of Parliament Mr Virender Kashyap and Mr Ram Swarup Sharma, Additional Chief Secretaries Mr V.C Pharka, Mr Tarun Mrdhar and Mr P.C Dhiman, Chief Engineer (North), MoRTH Mr A.K Mrvastva, other senior officers of the state and government of India attended the meeting.
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