After getting green signal from Union Minister of Rural Development Jairam Ramesh, Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal announces that World Bank has given approval to provide funds amounting to Rs. 74.24 crore for 37 left over roads and bridges in different parts of the State.
Chief Minister thanked the Union Minister for taking up the case of the State Government in the Empowered Committee headed by Secretary (Rural Development) Government of India and recommending the same for funding to the World Bank. He said that the State had urged the World Bank authorities through Government of India to provide funds for the construction of 37 roads and bridges projects in the State which consisted of 10 projects in Hamirpur Zone, 9 projects in Shimla Zone, 7 projects in Mandi Zone and 11 projects in Kangra Zone. He said that the funds would be utilized for construction of bridge over link roads to village Repoh Misran and Thathal to Nakki in Amb block; over link road to village Kaloh, Sunkali to Nakroh, Bhaderk, Deoli and Mawa Kohalan in Gagret block; Behlan in Dhundhi Block Fatehwal and Nagroli in Una block of District Una falling under PWD Zone Hamirpur. He said that nine projects for construction of bridges falling in Shimla Zone were Awera (Deodhank) in Nirmand Block, Salani, Thana Ksoga, Jhaminia and Barog to Dhar Kiari under Nahan Block; Puruwala, Manal and Sataun in Paonta Block; Jhakandon in Shillai Block of district Sirmour.
Chief Minister said that seven projects sanctioned for Mandi Zone consist of completion of bridges at Pichhalihar on Neri Kathi Kulari road, Fozal on on Kathi, Club House to Manali to Godhal Shanag to Burwa road, Gushal on Burwa to Majahach road in Naggar Block of district Kullu; Sidhyani on Sidhyani to Patha road, in Balh Block, Dehvi on Ghassi Nallah to Dehvi road, Baroti on Baroti to Dehar road and Harabag on NH-21 to Kurara road in Sundernagar Block of District Mandi. He added that 11 bridges proposed to be constructed would be on colony Mod on Tissa Seva Saranagar road, Tissa on Tissa Ganed Nera Road (Jangra to Khawaja), in Tissa Block; Bhanera on Pariungal Jatkan road, Karian to Bharian Koli road in Mehla Block; Nichli Tiyari in Bharmour Block of district Chamba; Rirakmar on Rirakmar to Saili road in Rait Block, Riali on Riyal Bela Ludhiancharan road, Badukha on Badukhar to Badhpur road in Fatehpur block, Banindoria on Babindorian to Parel road, in Indora Block, Gangath on Gangath to Dodah road and Badhui on Badhui to Baldoon road in Nurpur Block of district Kangra falling under Kangra Zone.
Chief Minister said that work on almost all the projects was in progress as State Government was meeting its expenses from its own sources. He said that with the sanctioning of the budget work on all 37 projects would be speeded up and completed in a time bound manner. He said that with the completion of the projects connectivity to the nearby villages would be ensured and road network strengthened in the State. He said that most of the roads had already been constructed and would be ready for dedication to the local people on completion of the bridges. He directed the authorities to speed up the construction work on all the sanctioned projects and ensure that top priority was accorded to all such projects. He said that roads were life line of the people of the State since all communication were solely dependent upon road network in the absence of adequate rail and air transportation facilities. He said that road connectivity had always been on top priority of the State and concerted efforts made to expand the road network by procuring funds from different external funding agencies.
