Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday directed the officers to expedite the work on four-laning of National Highway (NH) projects, so that these could be completed within the stipulated time period.
Presiding over a review meeting on acquisition of land for High Priority Infrastructure Projects here, Thakur said that rationalization of circle rates of land acquisition was under consideration and after consent from State Cabinet and thereafter amendment in circle rates of land acquisition would be notified in respect of Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh section of National Highway-105.
He said the National Highway Authority of India would be required to acquire the balance 4.43 hectare private land and the remaining structures to start four-laning works on this road. He said that this road would provide best infrastructure facilities to the entrepreneurs and give a big boost to the industrialization in the area.
The CM said that work on Kaithlighat to Dhalli stretch of Parwanoo-Shimla National Highway must be expedited, adding that encumbrance free land in all respects would be made available at the earliest by demolishing all structures, distribution of compensation and removal of all utilities including cutting of trees.
Thakur said on Parwanoo-Solan section of NH-05, about 85 percent physical progress had been achieved till date.
He expressed his concern over delay in construction of four-laning of Kiratpur-Ner Chowk section, pointing out that till date only about 62 percent physical progress has been achieved in this project. He said that similarly only 4.92 percent progress has been achieved in Ner Chowk-Pandoh project which needed to be expedited. He also expressed concern over the bad condition of this road and directed the NHAI to take up maintenance of this project to facilitate the commuters.
Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Khachi, Additional Chief Secretaries Ram Subhag Singh and Manoj Kumar and other officers were present in the meeting.