To strengthen the networking of national highways in the poorly connected hill State of Himachal the Centre has decided to take some concrete steps in this regard, this is stated by the Union Minister of Health and Family Welfare J.P. Nadda on Monday. “The enhanced connectivity would provide an impetus to the State’s economy”, he said.
The Minister informed that in the year 2014, six new highways spanning a total length of 729 kms have been approved for the State. He said after his meeting on crucial issues like land acquisition, compensation and environmental clearances with the State officials earlier this year, three new stretches have been notified as National Highways later in the month of June this year. These are the Una-Basoli-Salooni-Bhotard road of about 60 km; Theog-Kothkali-Jubbal-Hatkoti road of about 80 km; and Kumarhatti-Sarahan-Banethi-Nahan road of about 75 km.
The Union Health Minister also informed that the proposal forwarded by the Chief Minister and other leaders of the State for extension of the Theog-Kothkali-Jubbal-Hatkoti road to join Narkanda, and the Kumarhatti-Sarahan-Banethi-Nahan road beyond Kumarhatti are under active consideration of the Ministry of Roads and Transport.
“I have been personally following up on this proposal of the State Government”, said Mr. Nadda who is known to have excellent relations with the octogenarian Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh here. The Minister also added that he has actively pursued with the Ministry of Roads and Transport for taking up the repairs of the Chandigarh-Manali National Highway-21 which has suffered extensive damages due to heavy vehicular traffic. The Centre has agreed to the proposal of the State Government for the repair work which is under advanced stage of completion, he informed.
Mr. Nadda also said that the proposal of the State Government for repair work on crucial and major bridges on national highways in the State has been approved by the Centre. These include the Chikni Khad Bridge, Bathu Khad Bridge, Palampur bypass with two bridges of Baner Khad, and the Dehri Khad.
