CM Sukhu Stresses on Early Restoration of NHs, Construction of Tunnels

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday directed the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) to expedite the restoration work of national highways damaged due to recent rains and landslides in the state.

He said that the Mandi-Manali four-lane had suffered extensive damage, especially near Pandoh in Mandi district. He asked the NHAI to deploy extra manpower and officials at vulnerable points on the four-lane project to ensure that the restoration work is completed by October 15, before the world-famous Kullu Dussehra festival.

The Chief Minister also emphasized on the construction of three major tunnels in the state. He said that the Ghatasani-Shilh-Budhani-Bhubhu Jot tunnel should be constructed to connect Kangra with Kullu. This tunnel would not only help in tourism promotion but would also have strategic importance as it would shorten the distance between Kangra and Manali by 55 kilometers.

He also said that the Chowari-Chamba tunnel in Chamba district and a tunnel from Bhawa valley to Pin valley were of paramount importance to the state as they would provide all-weather connectivity to the areas besides boosting tourism activities in the regions.

The Chief Minister also asked the NHAI to speed up the construction work of the Shimla-Mataur four-lane project. He said that the specific road median as per norms or max five meters, should be ensured to enhance the aesthetic appeal of the road.

He also took up the issue of damaged Parwanoo-Solan four lane and said that vertical cutting of slopes should be avoided to ensure the better stabilization of the slopes. He said that the NHAI should ensure proper disposal of water by constructing drainage and cross drainage on the highways.

The Chief Minister also stressed for making Nalagarh-Bharatgarh road as four lane which would connect two national highways. He added that the entire Pathankot-Mandi national highway stretch should be made four lane in one go to avoid inconvenience to the commuters.

Chairman National Highways Authority of India, Santosh Kumar Yadav assured the Chief Minister that the NHAI would spare no stone unturned to restore the national highways permanently, at the earliest.

Others present in the meeting included Chief Parliamentary Secretary Sanjay Awasthi, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Principal Secretary PWD Bharat Khera, Principal Secretary Transport R.D. Nazeem, Principal Secretary Finance Manish Garg, Special Secretary PWD Harbans Brascon, Regional Officer NHAI Abdul Basit and other senior officers of the state government.