Bali announces Rs1 cr for bus stand repair

Tribune News Service

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Mandi, August 11

Transport Minister GS Bali today visited Dharampur in the district and assessed losses caused by heavy rainfall and landslides in the area on August 8.

Flashflood triggered by heavy rain in Sone rivulet had submerged the bus stand and its surrounding areas at Dharampur. Nearly 12 buses were damaged and shopkeepers suffered heavy losses in the flashflood.

After inspecting the bus stand, the minister announced a grant of Rs 1 crore for repair and development of the bus stand. An immediate relief of Rs 22 lakh had been disbursed among the people affected by the rainfall and landslides in the subdivision, he said.

He also ordered planting of 200 saplings near the bus stand towards the rivulet to prevent erosion of soil and ordered preparation of a report on the channelization of a rivulet flowing on the backside of the bus stand.

The minister directed officials to make the bus stand operational within 72 hours. The minster directed the local administration to restore power supply to the bus stand at the earliest. As many as 71 affected families were given Rs 25,000 each, four families got Rs 15,000 each, 23 families were given Rs 10,000 each, 10 families received Rs 5,000 each, five families got Rs 3,000 each and two families were given Rs 2,000 each. Tarpaulins, blankets, food kits, buckets, cooking gas cylinders and gas stoves were also provided. The minster assured that buses on the Tanda-Dharampur and other routes would be started. He said the construction work of the Sandhol bus stand had nearly been completed. Meanwhile, in a statement issued here today, district unit of the CPM alleged that the district administration had failed to assess the losses. District secretary Bhupender Singh said nine panchayats in Tihra sub-tehsil, 10 panchayats in Sandhol tehsil and 23 panchayats in Dharampur sub-tehsil in the subdivision had suffered heavy losses on August 8. He said the party would submit a report on August 14.