By : Mohan Verma
Work of under construction all weather Rohtang tunnel linking Manali with Lahaul valley has been delayed due to non-availability of construction material as this issue was figured in the state assembly on Tuesday.
Ravi Thakur member of Congress from Lahaul & Spiti raised this matter during the question hour alleging that including Border Road Organisation (BRO) and locals were facing shortage of sand and construction material.
Member alleged that firm employed for the construction of tunnel M/s. Afcons and BRO commanding officer were complaining of shortage of sand and chips for the project which was likely to be commissioned by 2015.
Stating that he was getting frequent complaints about the matter, Mr. Thakur argued that police were issuing challan while forest department was also intervening in the matter forcing to delay state schemes and work of locals, who are facing the same problem.
Replying to the concern member Industry Minister Mukesh Agnihotri who also hold the portfolio of mining said that government was not creating this problem but mining was banned by National Green Tribunal.
He said that government is benevolent into this matter while out of eight stone crushers only four are functional in Lahaul & Spiti. He also assured timely availability of construction material to the projects and local people.
