Relief for apple growers as Chhaila-Solan road opens

Tribune News Service

Shimla, August 13

Apple growers and truck operators can heave a sigh of relief as the Chhaila-Solan road, which was closed for heavy vehicles, has been reopened.

Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj, who reviewed the situation with the officials concerned today, said that Chhaila-Solan road, which was temporary closed for heavy vehicles, has been opened and apple laden trucks and other heavy vehicles from Kotkhai, Rohroo, Chopal and other adjoining areas would be diverted via Chhaila-Solan, reducing congestion on the Dhalli- Theog road.

The apple-laden vehicles headed for Bhattakufar mandi will be issued tokens at Chharabra and Koti by the police official and only the vehicles having tokens will be allowed to enter Bhattakufar mandi. No vehicles will be parked in the Mandi after auction of apples and loading and unloading would be done within minimum possible time.

He directed the SDO Shimla (Rural) to maintain close vigil on the vehicular movement at Bhattakufar mandi and also asked the highway officials to immediately remove the vehicles found parked on both sides of the road at Hassan valley and also remove the construction material. Further, no parking would be allowed on either side on the Taradevi-Shoghi road.

Suresh Bhardwaj instructed the officials to display the contact numbers of the motor mechanics in Theog and Dhalli area on the notice boards so that the vehicles carrying apples could be repaired at the earliest in case of a breakdown.

He directed the PWD to immediately repair the Rahighat road and asked the chairman of the APMC to ensure that the apple trucks of the big companies like KTC Company reached directly to their godowns in Malyana.

Only 30 per cent of apple crop has been transported to markets. The situation is monitored twice a day by the district administration, said Deputy Commissioner Shimla Amit Kashyap.