Centre gives nods to Shimla-Mataur & Mandi-Pathankot four lanes in Himachal
Union Goverment has accorded the Principle approval to two more 4-lanes project from Shimla to Matour and Pathankot to Mandi to be constructed with estimated cost of Rs 10K Crore and 12K Cr. Two projects were already accorded nods by centre this was informed by Union Road Transport Minister, Nitin Gadkari t Chief Minister, Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu who met him at New Delhi today.The DPR( detailed project reports) of the Pathankot-Mandi four-laning road project should be prepared soon, except for the portion of the road of around 19 kilometers adjoining Mandi town, he said. DPR is to be prepare of Hamirpur bypass.Chief Minister urged the centre ti direct National Highway Authority of India to complete the ongoing four lanes as new roads project would help state to boast up tourism and economic activities with the development of modern road infrastructure. He urged the centre that Kangra should be made tourism capital and the Pathankot-Mandi and Shimla-Mataur four-laning would prove beneficial from the point of tourism.
. He said that the state government would provide full cooperation to NHAI and has simplified various procedures of forest and other clearances and have fixed a timeline for the completion of projects.
He said that due to better road connectivity, the footfall of tourists was likely to increase and will provide them with basic highway facilities. Chief Minister said that the process to provide compensation for the land acquired for these projects has been expedited and necessary instructions have been issued to the concerned Deputy Commissioners in this regard. The Chief Minister also urged for cooperation for construction of ropeways, especially Himani Chamunda and Bijli Mahadev Ropeway. Provision for charging stations at a reasonable distance for electric vehicles in these four-lane road projects should be ensured so that the State Government’s motto to completely launch electric vehicles in the state could be executed. Where-ever possible, the NHAI should assure the feasibility for tunneling to ease traffic congestion and save time of the commuters, he added.
