Clear status of 69 NHs: Cong MLA to Gadkari

Our Correspondent

Hamirpur, June 24

“Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari must clear the status of 69 national highways (NHs) he had announced during his previous visit to the state,” said Ram Lal Thakur, MLA, Sri Naina Devi Constituency, here on Thursday.

He said the state government had approved the preparation of the detailed project report (DPR) of 58 national highways but nothing was seen on the ground. Ram Lal alleged that despite repeated meetings with the authorities of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), there was no development on the announced NHs.

He said Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had said a 140-km-long national highway from Kullu to Samshar in Anni was to be constructed but nothing had been done. “A fund of Rs 7.5 crore was sanctioned by the government for this project but the DPR was not prepared even after months.”

Meanwhile, Prem Kaushal, spokesperson, Himachal Pradesh Congress Committee, said the purpose of Gadkari’s visit was just for tourism and to observe the political scenario in the state.

He said the CM was unable to handle the government machinery and that was evident from the scuffle among police officers in his presence. He said Gadkari must understand the situation in the state from the incident.