Himachal Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday inaugurated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth about Rs 234 crore in Ani Vidhan Sabha area of Kullu district.
He also announced the opening of SDM office at Nirmand in Kullu district to facilitate the people of the area.
The Chief Minister was presiding over the 72nd state level van mahotsava function at Nirmand. He announced upgradation of PHC Nither to Community Health Centre, upgradation of Government High Schools Durah and Kushwa to Government Senior Secondary Schools, upgradation of Primary School Devari to Government Middle School, opening of Sub Division of Jal Shakti Vibhag at Shawar, construction of foot bridge from Bro to Hanuman Ghat, Rampur Bazar, upgradation of Veterinary Dispensary Panjera to Veterinary Hospital.
Thakur said that Luri to Nor road would be upgraded as a major district road. Additional buses would be plied in Ani and Nirmand areas to facilitate the people of the area and a helipad would be constructed at Kufardhar.
He dedicated 12 developmental projects worth about Rs 44.60 crore which includes bus stand at Nirmand constructed at a cost of Rs 3.35 crore, Rs 5.77 crore Arsu-Kundakod road, Rs 7.26 crore WSS for villages of Gram Panchayat Bari, Tunnan, Poshana, Bahwa, Kharga and Kushwa in development block Nirmand among others.
Thakur also laid foundation stones of 17 developmental projects worth Rs 189.20 crore including Rs 27.58 crore augmentation of various water supply scheme on the left bank of Kurpan khad in development block Nirmand, Rs 11.60 crore CAD work to FIS Kurpan Kuhal, Rs 2.37 crore CAD work to FIS Nore Lanj in development block Nirmand.
The Chief Minister said that being a hilly state, the forests of Himachal have special importance. They not only contribute significantly in balancing the delicate environment of the Himalayan region but also play an important role in the rural economy of the State. A target has been fixed to plant about 1.40 crore saplings on over 14,000 hectare area this year in different parts of the state, he said.
He said that ‘Ek Buta Beti Ke Naam’ has also been launched in the State to ensure empowerment of girl child and also increase forest cover in Himachal.