Shimla : The detailed project report(DPR) for making the busy Shimla-Solan national highway into a four lane road will be ready soon.The two hill stations are connected by a 48 km long and winding two lane road.
Speaking at a national conference on public private partnership(PPP) Monday at Vigyan Bhawan in New Delhi Himachal Pradesh’s PWD minister Gulab Singh said land was also being acquired for four laning of the Parwanoo-Solan and Nerchowk-Manali roads.
The PWD minister requested the Centre to provide extra support for completing the PPP mode road projects in the state as there are low density traffic corridors here.Besides it was expensive to build roads in the hills.
He said highway development in Himachal on toll basis is not financially viable due to high construction cost,low traffic volumes, slow forest clearances and limited working season which discourages private players.
He suggested the adoption of BOT annuity for financing of national highways in the country on private financing initiative model.
In a 20 year career published widely. He has worked for the BBC, AFP, The Statesman, IANS and the Business Standard . Known for his hard hitting writing and occasional off-beat stories. He lives in Shimla.
