Shimla: Roads being the major mode of transport in the hilly state and to strengthen the network, the central government has given its nod for upgrading five state roads into national highways, chief minister Prem Kumar Dhumal disclosed today.
“Besides the 5 national highways with a road length of 495 Kms, the central ministry approved two bye pass road, two interceptors and one modern driving school for the state at a meeting held with Kamal Nath union minister for road transport and highways at Delhi on Monday,” said Dhumal.
The roads to be upgraded include a 60 Km road Hamirpur-Sujanpur-Palampur, a 12 Km stretch from Brahmpukhar-Bilaspur-Ghumarwin-Sarkaghat-Lad Bhadol-Baijnath, a 133 Km road Bharmour-Chamba-Dalhousie-Pathankot, 106 Km road Taradevi-Jubbarhatti-Kunihar-Ramshehar-Nalagarh-Ghanauli and the vital 84 Km road from Chandigarh PGI- Baddi-Pokhran-Nalagarh-Ramshehar-Arki-Shalaghat
The chief minister informed that the union minister had also agreed for a second phase to convert two roads from Slappar-Pandoh-Chail Chowk-Karsog-Tattapani-Dhalli with a length of 297 kms and Sainj-Luhari-Banjar-Aut-Bagidhar having a length of 97 Kms into national highways.
Presently there were 11 national highways in the state making up a road length of 1,471 Kms which would stand increased to 16 national highways with a total of 1967 Kms of length.
To decongest road traffic on the Kullu-Manali highway, the ministry also approved a bye-pass road at Sundernagar in Mandi and a Manali bye-pass that involves a 120 meters span bridge for easing vehicular movement headed for Rohtang Pass and beyond.
For checking over speeding on highways, the centre would establish two interceptors, said Dhumal.
As Editor, Ravinder Makhaik leads a team of media professionals at Hill Post.
Spanning a career of over two decades in mass communication, as a Documentary Filmmaker, TV journalist, Print Media journalist and with Online & Social Media, he brings with him a vast experience. He lives in Shimla.
