Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Friday said that specific road safety provisions should be implemented for smooth flow of vehicles while construction of four laning projects being implemented in the state apart from maintaining quality in construction.
The Chief Minister was presiding over the review meeting of implementation of four laning projects of National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) and National Highway Projects in Himachal Pradesh by the Central Team of Ministry of Road, Transport and Highways.
He said that appropriate rehabilitation plan for persons losing their business and livelihood due to acquisition of land should be ensured by providing them suitable compensation.
He said that due to difficult topographical conditions and limited mode of communication, roads were the major mode of transportation. The Union government has sanctioned 69 national highways for the state and it was unfortunate that the previous State Government did nothing to expedite the work for preparing detailed project reports (DPRs) for these national highways, said he.
Thakur said that the present State Government during the last four months itself had issued letter of acceptance in respect of 53 national highways.
He said that it was due to the vision of the former Prime Minister Atal Bahari Vajpayee that the PMGSY was launched in the country. Today, almost all the panchayats of the state had road connectivity. Out of total 3226 panchayats in the state only about 100 panchayats were left to be connected by road and work for connecting these panchayats by road was in progress and they would be connected soon, said the Chief Minister.
Thakur further said that the work on all the on-going four laning projects must be expedited. The State Government would ensure to provide all clearances at the earliest.
He said that the best construction quality must be ensured with a major emphasis on minimum damage to the environment. Best network of roads in the state would give special boost to the tourism sector. Wayside amenities should also be created on all the major four-laning projects for the benefits of tourists and general commuters, he added.
The Chief Minister also said that dumping of debris from excavation of land while widening the road may also be considered for development of grounds for educational institutions and general public wherever visible in consultation of local administration.
He said that access to the existing village road and paths should be finalised in consultation with the various stakeholders.
While reviewing the progress on Kiratpur-Nerchowk-Kullu-Manali four lane projects being implemented in five sections by different executing agencies, the Chief Minister said that construction of road all along the market area in Raison village of Kullu district may be done in such a way to ensure safe gap between the buildings and proposed road or alignment should be shifted.
He also stressed on strengthening work on left out stretch of Kainchimor to larol of NH-21 as per NHAI policy.
While reviewing the progress on Parwanoo-Shimla, Solan- Kaithlighat and Shimla bypass four laning projects, the Chief Minister said that the project should be completed within stipulated time period.