Loss of 332 crore to State roads due to heavy rains

Published on August 29, 2010 by INVC   ·   No Comments  Print This Post

INVC,,

Shimla,,

The State roads have suffered a loss of 332 crore till date during the ensuing rainy season. This was disclosed by Thakur Gulab Singh, Public Works and Revenue Minister while presiding over the meeting with the senior officers of the Public Works Department here today. He said that the inclement rains have resulted in heavy damage to the roads and bridges in the State.

Thakur Gulab Singh said that State Government emphasis was to ensure that roads damaged due to heavy rains were restored immediately so that people of the State, especially the apple growers did not face any inconvenience in carrying their produce to the market. He said that State Government has released an amount of 10 crore to the Public Works Department to take up restoration work on war footing. He said that the Government had made adequate arrangement of men and machinery to ensure immediate restoration of damages. He said that 137 Dozers, 99 JCBs and 144 private JCBs have been pressed into service in different parts of the State. He assured that the entire public works road in the State would be restored within next two days to facilitate the fruit growers. He said that in case of any inconvenience due to road damage the people could contact the concerned officers.

Public Works Minister said that in Shimla district alone 21 Dozers and 26 JCBs of the department besides 63 JCBs hired from private parties had been pressed into service. He said that the State Government has deployed a record number of machinery through the State to ensure smooth plying of vehicles and early restoration of roads. He said that landslide prone places have been identified and JCBs and Dozers stationed there so that immediate action could be taken in case of landslide. He said that the State Government was committed to ensure smooth transportation of apple to different markets within and outside the State. He said that even the far-flung hinter land Dodra-kwar area of the State would be re-opened for jeeps within next two days, which speaks about the endeavour being made by the State Public Works Department. He said that similarly jeep-able road have been made operational as an alternative road for Ghanvi road in Shimla district so that apple growers could transport their produce to the market.

Thakur Gulab Singh said that in addition to it, M/S Long Jain Road and Bridge Company China executing the Theog-Kotkhai-Hatkoti road has also deployed six JCBs/Excavators and two cranes for ensuring maintenance of this road. He said that the Government has also specifically deployed two D.S.Ps and about 60 Constables to maintain smooth transportation of apple through this road.

Tags:  Loss of 332 crore to State roads due to heavy rains, Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal