Construct Panchvaktar temple footbridge by Shivratri: Minister

Mandi, February 1

Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh has instructed Jal Shakti Department officials to complete the construction work of the footbridge at Panchvaktar temple in Mandi by the festival of Shivratri.

During his visit to Mandi on Wednesday, he inspected the progress of the under-construction footbridge and asked officials to expedite the construction work on priority.

State Congress President Pratibha Singh accompanied Singh during the inspection.

The footbridge at Panchvaktar temple was damaged last year due to a flood in the Beas river. MP Pratibha Singh had allotted Rs 10 lakh from the MP fund for restoration of the footbridge. Additional funds for the reconstruction were provided by the government.

No question of joining BJP: Vikramaditya

There is no question of joining BJP. I am not ‘Aaya Ram’ and ‘Gaya Ram’. I am happy with my party and I will always remain with it. —Vikramaditya Singh, Public works department minister

The PWD Minister said he recently met with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari in Delhi. During his meeting, he asked Gadkari for funds for the improvement of the national highways and adjacent roads that were damaged in the rain disaster last year.

“The Union Minister has assured the release of funds amounting to Rs 152 crore for the roads. We are hopeful about recieving the amount in the next 2-3 days,” he added.

The amount would be used for the improvement and expansion work of two alternative roads connecting Mandi-Kullu, namely the Chail Chowk-Pandoh and Kamand-Katindi-Kataula-Bajaura roads, according to the minister.