Move to hand over BRO's work to PWD flayed

Tribune News Service

Mandi, May 30

Former Congress MLA of Lahaul and Spiti Ravi Thakur said the decision of the state and central governments to entrust maintenance work of the Sumdoh-Gramphu-Kaza road to the HP Public Works Department from the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) was a wrong decision. He sought a review of the decision.

“This road is on the Indo-Tibet-China border and has been maintained up to the mark by the BRO with adequate machinery, labour and back-up material. The BRO has the mandate to build and improve the border roads, which is also being done by them to Manali, Sarchu-Leh, Tandi Udaipur and Pangi roads in Lahaul and Spiti. These roads are well-maintained by the BRO and mountain passes like Rohtang, Kunzum and the Shinkula road to the Zanskar valley are opened by the authority concerned in time as the Defence has sufficient budget and disciplined force for the purpose,” he said.

He alleged, “The state government had urged the Centre to hand over this strategically important road to the PWD on the demand of BJP contractors in the Spiti valley. It will add to the sufferings of the Spiti people as a majority of roads under the PWD are lying in a poor condition.”