CM requests Centre to sanction another National Highway to the State

June 23, 2009 :Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal, Chief Minister has requested the Union Minister for Rural Transport and Highways, Shri Kamal Nath to sanction another National Highway to the State connecting Shimla with the Industrial area of Nalagarh-Baddi-Barotiwala and further Ropar in Punjab. He said that the State Highway No. 6 with a length of 106.40 kms. originating from Shimla and passing through Jubbarhatti (Shimla Airport)-Kunihar-Ramshehar-Nalagarh upto Ghanauli (Ropar in Punjab) may be declared as National Highway. Chief Minister wrote a letter to the Union Minister in this regard.

Chief Minister said that Sansari Nallah-Killar Thirot (SKT) road which falls in the tribal district of Lahaul &Spiti in Himachal Pradesh bordering China was being maintained by the Border Roads Organization. He said that this road was of strategic importance as an important alternative road for the border areas in J&K. The road is situated in most inhospitable and difficult terrain and continues to be strategically important in view of the sensitive position in J&K border areas and Government of India is well aware about the same.

Chief Minister apprised that this road was transferred to the State Government on 17.10.2007 with the clear understanding that entire expenditure on its maintenance incurred by the State Government would be fully reimbursed by the Government of India. He said that Ministry of Shipping, Road Transport and Highways, Government of India has informed that the road in question will be improved and maintained under the Centrally Sponsored Scheme of State Roads of Economic Importance (EI) which provides 50% Central Government share and 50% share will be of the State Government. The State has already conveyed its views that the State Government with its very limited resources was not in a position to provide 50% of State share for maintenance of this road and has requested the Ministry to allow the expenditure on the maintenance of this road to be met out of the Strategic Roads Funds in line with decision earlier conveyed in 2007.

He urged the Union Minister to consider the request of the State Government and order to allow the entire expenditure on the maintenance of this road out of the Strategic Roads Funds.
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By :  News Team