Speed up land acquisition: Centre to Himachal

Pathankot-Mandi fourlane project

Our Correspondent

PALAMPUR, April 7

The Centre has asked the state government to expedite land acquisition for the remaining four phases of the Pathankot-Mandi fourlane project.

The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has asked the state for the quick disbursal of compensation for land to the affected people for expediting the NH project.

The project falls among the top priority projects since this road will link Pathankot with Leh and Ladakh. The government of India had shelved the Bilaspur-Leh rail line project. Therefore, the Pathankot-Mandi project has now gained more importance and the government wants to complete it at the earliest.

The bidding process for the first phase of the Pathankot-Mandi project had been completed last month and the construction works valuing over Rs 800 crore had been awarded to IRB Infrastructure. This company has also been directed to complete the project within two years.

A senior NHAI officer said here today that it would try to complete the bidding process in six months for the two phases.

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