This story is from June 8, 2019

Himachal Pradesh to approach Centre to seek budget hike for border roads

Himachal Pradesh to approach Centre to seek budget hike for border roads
Chief minister Jai Ram Thakur with PM Narendra Modi in New Delhi on Friday
SHIMLA: Concerned over the condition of roads along the border areas of Himachal Pradesh, the state government has decided to take up the matter with the Union ministry of road and surface transport for enhancing the budget for maintenance of these roads of strategic importance.
Presiding over a meeting with senior officers of Border Roads Organization (BRO) in Shimla on Friday, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur said at present, there were five national highways in the state with a total length of 570 kms and one ‘in principle’ national highway (Tandi to Sansari Nallah of 172-km length) with the BRO.

He said these highways pass through strategically important and tribal areas of the state and are linked with various roads maintained by the state public works department (PWD).
Thakur said usually the condition of these roads deteriorates during the months of winter and requires constant repairs and maintenance so as to facilitate the tourists and general commuters for which adequate funds were required. He said similarly, bridges on these roads also need immediate repair.
He also requested the BRO officials to ensure completion of Rohtang tunnel by November this year to ensure round-the-year connectivity in the landlocked Lahaul valley.
Agriculture and tribal development minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda expressed concern over the condition of roads maintained by the BRO and requested its authorities to ensure time-bound maintenance of roads under their ambit so that people of tribal areas of state do not face any inconvenience.

BRO director general Lt General Harpal Singh assured the chief minister that the organization would ensure time-bound completion of Rohtang tunnel, besides other improvement works. He said Samdho-Kaza-Gramphu road would be improved on priority keeping in view its strategic importance.
Additional chief secretary Dr Shrikant Baldi; chief engineer, Project Deepak, Shimla, Brig D K Tyagi; Kullu deputy commissioner Dr Richa Verma; engineer-in-chief PWD R K Verma; staff officers Lt Col Dushyant Patil and Lt Col Rohit Jalwi were present in the meeting.
Box: Thakur invites PM for investors’ meet
Himachal chief minister Jai Ram Thakur called on Prime Minister Narendra Modi at New Delhi on Friday and discussed various issues pertaining to the state with him. He also apprised him about global investors’ meet being organized at Dharamshala in September. He also invited the PM to inaugurate this mega event. Modi said he would try his best to visit the state for the event. Chief secretary B K Agarwal was also present with Chief Minister during the meeting.
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