Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh Cabinet which met here today under the chairmanship of Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh accorded approval to award remaining work of widening and strengthening of World Bank-funded 80-km-long Theog-Kotkhai-Hatkoti-Rohru road.
Earlier, Chinese company had abandoned road work and Govt had terminated their tender and invited new one. The work of important road has been re-allotted to C & C Constructions Ltd. with the increased cost of execution to Rs.321 crore from Rs.228 crore earlier. The work on the road is likely to commence this year and is expected to complete by end 2015.
PWD official said the World Bank had granted approval for awarding the contract to the new bidder and to complete it in time, the entire stretch has been divided into two portions – 48 km stretch from Theog to Kharapathar and 32 km portion between Kharapathar and Rohru. The first stretch would be completed at a cost of Rs.179 crore, while the second at Rs.142 crore.
With the cabinet nod, now it’s speculating that widening work of the road will be start soon and will give relief to the daily commuters the region. Theog Rohru road has become a nightmare of commuters. Apple growers were worse affected from this road as during apple season frequent jam and fatal accidents were common scene. As per reports about 200 lives have been lost in various accidents, in past four years, even two person were died couple of days back as Nano car, in which they were traveling, met with an accident.
