Will take up Chehni tunnel issue with Centre: CM

Our Correspondent
Chamba, October 16

Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday said the state government would soon approach the Centre for the construction of the Chehni tunnel in the Killar area of Chamba district.

Addressing a gathering during the district-level Fulyatra Utsav of Pangi in Killar, Thakur said, "The construction of the tunnel will provide all-weather road connectivity to the area, which remains cut off from the rest of the world for six months in a year.” 

The detailed project report (DPR) for the construction of the tunnel would be included in the overall DPR for the Dharaman-Killar National Highway.  The CM said the overall survey must be taken up at the earliest so as to expedite the project.

Thakur said efforts would be made to set up small solar power plants in the area to provide uninterrupted power supply in the winter. He said a specialist doctor would be posted at the local hospital. 

The Chief Minister said  four additional Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses would be provided for the benefit of commuters in Killar. He  announced the recruitment of science lecturers at Degree College, Killar.   

The Chief Minister said a separate senior secondary school for girls would be opened in the area. He announced upgrade of Government High School, Sural, to the senior secondary level, besides setting up a veterinary dispensary at Udaan Bhatori. 

He announced Rs 10 lakh for the development of the mela ground. He also announced Rs 1 lakh from his discretionary fund for the mela committee. 

Thakur said he would take up the issue of improving communication connectivity in the area with the authorities of Jio and Airtel.   

Earlier, the Chief Minister laid the foundation stone of a nature park at Killar, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 3 crore.   

Agriculture and Tribal Development Minister Ram Lal Markanda said people working in the tribal areas used to get their salary and allowances in advance, but the previous government stopped the practice He thanked the Chief Minister for restoring this system.