CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Requests Nitin Gadkari to Upgrade Himachal Roads to National Highways
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu urged Union Minister for Road Transport and National Highways Nitin Gadkari to declare the 39.20 km Ranital-Kotla and 41.50 km Ghumarwin-Jahu-Sarkaghat roads as National Highways. He mentioned that these roads are already built to National Highway standards and are ‘in-principle National Highways’.
During a review meeting of National Highway Projects in New Delhi, CM Sukhu emphasized the importance of roads in the hill state and noted that no new National Highway has been declared for Himachal in the last 8 years. He requested Rs 172.97 crore for restoring state roads damaged by flash floods and landslides, including Kullu-Manali, Mandi-Kamand-Katola-Bajaura Road, and Chail-Gohar-Pandoh Road.
CM Sukhu highlighted the significance of these roads in easing traffic congestion and their vital role during the monsoon season. He also stressed the importance of the Shimla-Mataur National Highway, which connects eight districts to the state capital and neighboring states. He requested uniform upgradation of highways to four-lane standards for road safety.
CM Sukhu informed that 69 in-principle National Highways were declared by Gadkari, with alignment reports for 58 submitted for approval in 2018-19. He requested speedy approval of these reports. Gadkari assured appropriate action and directed contractors to complete works on time.
Key officials, including PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, CPS Sundar Singh Thakur, and others, attended the meeting.
Doubts Revealed
CM -: CM stands for Chief Minister. He is the head of the government in a state in India.
Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu -: Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is the Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, a state in India.
Nitin Gadkari -: Nitin Gadkari is a Union Minister in India. He is responsible for roads and highways across the country.
National Highways -: National Highways are major roads that connect different states and cities in India. They are very important for travel and transport.
Ranital-Kotla and Ghumarwin-Jahu-Sarkaghat roads -: These are specific roads in Himachal Pradesh that the Chief Minister wants to be upgraded to National Highways.
monsoon floods -: Monsoon floods happen during the rainy season in India. Heavy rains can cause rivers to overflow and damage roads and buildings.
funds -: Funds are money that is needed to pay for something, like repairing roads.
officials -: Officials are people who hold important positions in the government and help make decisions.
