Speed up work on roads in apple belt: Virbhadra

Tribune News Service

Shimla, May 24

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh directed the PWD to speed up work on the Theog-Kharapathar-Hatkoti road and other roads after he laid the stone of the Rs 10 crore parking-cum-five-storey national highway office block near the PWD headquarters here today.

He also directed the department to ensure that all link roads and other alternative routes in the apple belt were well-maintained to ensure smooth transportation of apples and also asked the department for regular monitoring of the work on the road.

All bottlenecks on the road should be removed as this road was the priority of the state government. “As many in the Opposition are playing politics on the road, my government intends that road should be completed without delay and I will monitor its progress”, said the Chief Minister.

The Chief Minister was also briefed about the ongoing work of the PWD rest house near Barnes Court. The rest house was damaged due to heavy landslide and felling of trees during the last monsoon. The rest house will have 36 rooms with separate dormitories, said Chief Architect NK Negi.

Engineer-in-Chief Naresh Sharma briefed the Chief Minister about the major works being carried out by the department and the new proposals in hand. He said that the E-in-C office of quality control and designs at the US Club would be shifted after completion of the NH Block, the foundation stone of which was laid today.

Later, a delegation of the Star overseas Group with members from Russia called upon the Chief Minister at his official residence and evinced keen interest in investing in the hydel sector besides construction of roads and tunnels.