The state government today requested the union government to declare five new national highways in the state to strengthen road network in the state. The demand was made by PWD Minister Gulab Singh Thakur who called on Dr. C.P. Joshi, the union Minister for Road Transport and Highways in New Delhi.
Kaul Singh Thakur (PWD minister) with Dr. C.P. Joshi (Minister for Road Transport and Highways)
The proposed national highways are Hamirpur – Palampur – Sujanpur, Brahmpukhar – Bilaspur – Ghumarwin – Sarkaghat – Ladbharol – Baijnath , Pathankot – Dalhousie – Chamba – Bharmour, Taradevi – Jubarhatti – Kunihar – Ramshahar – Nalagarh – Ghamouli, Chandigarh – Pokhar – Nalagarh – Ramshahar – Arki – Shalaghat roads as national highways.
Gulab Singh emphasized on the fact that road transport is the only viable transport medium for hilly people in absence of any significant rail or air network of the state. He stressed upon the need to strengthen the road network to provide connectivity to the people and also ensure the transportation of cash crops and fruits to the national market from rural and remote areas of the states which produces high quality consumable products for metropolitan consumers.
He also said that the central government has already conveyed its principal approval for declaring all the roads as national highways however the formal notifications has not been issued so far and requested the central government to expedite the matter at the earliest so as funds for these roads could be released immediately.
PWD Minister also requested the union minister to provide financial assistance for constructions of bye passes at Jogindernagar, Sundernagar and Theog to decongest these cities from heavy traffic which has created problems for common citizens. The detailed project reports for these bye passes have already been submitted to the ministry and are pending for final approval.
