Himachal CM Urges Gadkari for National Highway Status and Funds for Road Restoration

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu appealed to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari to declare key roads in Himachal Pradesh as National Highways. He also requested Rs 172.97 crore for road restoration, emphasizing the importance of these roads for traffic management and disaster response.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has called on Union Minister for Road Transport and National Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to grant National Highway status to the 39.20 km Ranital-Kotla and 41.50 km Ghumarwin-Jahu-Sarkaghat roads. These roads, according to the Chief Minister, have already been constructed to National Highway standards and are considered 'in-principle National Highways.'

During a review meeting in New Delhi, CM Sukhu highlighted the critical role of roads in the hilly state, noting that no new National Highways have been declared for Himachal Pradesh in the past eight years. He urged the release of Rs. 172.97 crore for the restoration of state roads damaged by flash floods and landslides during the last monsoon season. The affected roads include Kullu-Manali, Mandi-Kamand-Katola-Bajaura, and Chail-Gohar-Pandoh roads.

The Chief Minister emphasized that these roads alleviate traffic congestion on National Highways and proved essential during last year's monsoon when several stretches of the Kullu-Manali Highway were damaged. Sukhu also pointed out that the Shimla-Mataur National Highway links eight districts to the state capital and neighboring states. He recommended uniform upgradation to four-lane standards for better road safety.

CM Sukhu also mentioned that 69 'in-principle National Highways' were declared by Gadkari, with alignment reports for 58 of them submitted for approval in 2018-19. He requested expedited approval. In response, Gadkari assured action and directed contractors to complete pending works promptly.

The meeting saw attendance from key state and central officials, including PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh and CPS Sundar Singh Thakur. (ANI)

(With inputs from agencies.)