Shimla: A day after heavy snowfall in the state, the state Public Works Department has opened major roads including Shimla-Manali and Shimla-Chandigarh National Highways for vehicular traffic.
Engineer-in-Chief Public Works A.K. Kohli disclosed that apart from Shimla and Manali National Highway of the State Kufri and Dalhausie have also been restored for traffic. More than 70 major roads in the State have been opened by the department, Kohli further added.
Kohli revealed that the Department has pressed into service 195 JCB Machines, 20 Dozers, 10 front enloaders besides a large number of manpower to restore road connectivity in the affected areas of the State.
Because of heavy snow the supply of essential commodities have hampered today as well. The electricity supply in most part of the Shimla city and Manali have been disrupted due to snapping of transmission lines.
Even the water supply in the Shimla city was affected due to busting of pipes, and most of the part of the city have not received water from past 4-5 days.
The Kinnaur district and towns in Shimla district such as Narkanda, Jubbal, Kotkhai, Kumarsain, Kharapathar, Rohru and Chopal are still cut off from the rest of the state.
Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh has also directed Public Works Authorities to restore vehicular traffic on major roads on priority basis and link roads at the earliest.
The Chief Minister has directed the HPSEB authorities to early restore power supply in the affected areas of the State. He was apprised that work was on war footing to restore Jutogh-Bharari 33 KV line which was damaged due to uprooted trees falling on the supply line.
The Chief Minister also directed the Officers of IPH Department to ensure supply of water from every scheme especially Shimla Town and its suburbs.
