Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday emphasized for ensuring high-quality construction in all the PWD project works and specifically instructed the department to prioritize the construction of tunnels for new road projects for the convenience of both local residents and tourists which would go a long way in saving the time and money of the commuters. He also stressed on constructing ropeways in the State.
Presiding over a review meeting with the officials of the PWD department virtually, he reviewed the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-3, and said that the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) of 45 roads with an estimated cost of Rs. 422 crore have been approved for the State. Out of these, tenders for 44 roads have already been awarded. He said that DPRs for more than 256 roads with an outlay of Rs. 2,662 crore have been sent to the Union Government for approval in the second phase. He said that these road constructions will encompass 644 kilometers using the FDR technique and 499 kilometers with a cement sub-base technique. Construction of 14 bridges in the second phase is also pending approval from the centre government, he said.
In order to expedite infrastructure development, the Chief Minister directed to complete the pending 173 road projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-1 and 17 road projects in the second phase within the current year. He said that a budgetary provision of Rs. 40 crore for the Mukhyamantri Sadak Rakh Rakhav Yojana has been made this year.
He said that the State Government has sanctioned Rs. 97 crores to decongest the Circular-road of Shimla city to facilitate the commuters.