PWD Minister calls on Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister

·        MoRTH assures to release Rs. 152 crore for repair and up-gradation of NH connecting roads

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh met Union Road, Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Jairam Gadkari at New Delhi today and discussed various issues relating to damages and losses due to incessant rains and landslides in Himachal. The Union Minister assured to release the funds amounting to Rs. 152 crore for repair and up-gradation of National Highways and state roads immediately, stated the PWD Minister.

He said that after devastation caused due to natural calamity during last monsoon, the Union Minister himself visited Kullu and Manali to assess the damages to the NH. During this visit the Union Minister announced the funds for the restoration of state link roads emanating from the NHs to a distance of one kilometer from the Union Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways. He said that it was then, the state has requested for funds amounting to Rs. 152 crore from NHAI. Additional estimates of Rs. 23.08 crore were submitted for the funds required for the restoration and construction of four major state roads and highways.

He said that these includes repair and maintenance of connecting NH-003 and NH-305, in the radius of one km under Thalout division, improvement and strengthening of Chail-Gohar-Pandoh road as an alternate road for movement of traffic from Pandoh to Chailchowk during closer of NH from Mandi to Pandoh, repair and maintenance of four laning and Pandoh bye pass to Takoli Kullu section of NH and that of Mandi-Kamand-Kataula-Bajoura road which is the main alternative road to Kullu from Mandi required immediate attention. These roads maintain the supply chain of all commodities and movement of commuters to this area in case of emergency.

Vikramaditya Singh said that a DPR of Rs. 108.33 crore for up-gradation of Tikkar-Jarol-Gahan-Nankhari-Khamadi road was also submitted to the central government for approval, which has been granted nod. This road connects Kotgarh, Kumarsain, Nankhari and Rampur tehsil.

The Union Minister has assured and said that the estimates and DPR which has been submitted would be sanctioned soon. He also assured to release Rs. 152 crore for repair and upgradation of NH connecting roads immediately.