Shimla
Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh today said that the state government was making continuous efforts to speed up development schemes and projects related to the central government in the state.
He said that during his recent visit to Delhi, he held important meetings with several union ministers and discussed in detail the early completion of ongoing projects in the state and regarding approval of new projects. He said that various issues related to the development of the state were being regularly raised with the central government and positive results are beginning to emerge.
The Minister said that the state government was giving priority to the development and up-gradation of roads. He said that conditions of roads were being continuously monitored during the monsoon season. He said that compared with the last two to three years, roads in the state have suffered relatively less damage this monsoon.
The Public Works department has ensured the deployment of JCBs, Poclains and other machinery at vulnerable locations. He said that instructions have been issued to restore roads within 24 hours wherever traffic is disrupted due to landslides or debris. This will help ensure that farmers, horticulturists and the general public do not face unnecessary inconvenience.
Vikramaditya Singh said that Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari has given in-principle approval for the release of Rs 25.11 crore for improvement and tarring of the road from Banjar to Aut on the Sainj-Luhri-Banjar-Aut route under National Highway-305.
He said that he had also requested the Union Minister to expedite the approval process for the Rs. 1,775 crore Jalori Tunnel project. He said that the Union Minister has directed the concerned officials of the ministry to complete the approval process at the earliest.
The Public Works Minister said that he had sought Rs. 395 crore for the Nagrota Bagwan-Ranital road on National Highway-303 in Kangra district. He said that the Union Minister has given in-principle approval for the proposal and issued necessary directions to the officials concerned.
He said that he had also requested the central government to provide Rs 3.46 crore under the Setu Bandhan scheme for the construction of bridges. In view of the State’s difficult geographical conditions, he further requested approval for more road projects under the CRIF and Setu Bandhan schemes and an increase in the annual allocation under CRIF for road projects to Rs. 200 crore.
Vikramaditya Singh said that continuous efforts are also being made to improve the appearance of towns and strengthen urban infrastructure in the state. During his Delhi visit, he met Union Minister for Power and Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar and requested financial assistance, technical support and a proper planning framework for developing new towns to reduce the growing pressure on existing cities in the state.
He also apprised the Union Minister of the need to develop shared infrastructure for the proposed new city in the area adjoining Chandigarh and Panchkula on the lines of Chandigarh.
The Minister said that under Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, only 31 of the State’s 76 urban local bodies have so far been covered under the Used Water Management component. He requested approval for the additional projects submitted for the remaining urban local bodies, along with the necessary financial assistance.
Vikramaditya Singh further said that projects worth Rs. 1,200 crore have been submitted for financial approval under the Urban Challenge Fund. He requested the Union Minister to approve these funds at the earliest.
He also urged the Centre to release the remaining Rs 64.45 crore under the AMRUT scheme at the earliest so that the ongoing projects in the state can continue without interruption.
