Chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met the Union minister for road transport and highways Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi on Wednesday and held deliberations on various issues of the state, especially about the ongoing four-lane projects being operated by the National Highway Authorities of India (NHAI) and other national highways of the state.
To provide accommodation facilities to the students and the visitors from the state to Delhi, the chief minister laid the foundation stone of Rs 57.72 crore, five storey ‘Himachal Niketan’ to be constructed at Delhi’s Dwarka area on Wednesday.
The CM requested the Union minister to speed up four-lane projects, especially Kiratpur-Manali, Parwanoo-Shimla, Chakki-Mataur-Shimla and Nalagarh-Swarghat highways so that it could be completed in the stipulated time. He also advocated for the construction of flyovers to ease traffic congestion besides reducing distance and saving time of commuters.
Sukhu also advocated for releasing funds for the repair works of national highways keeping in view the approaching tourism season. He said as the majority of tourists love to drive, the condition of roads needs to be improved. Various issues pertaining to other centrally funded schemes being executed in the state were also discussed in length. He said Gadkari has assured him of all possible assistance and co-operation on the issues raised. He also invited Gadkari to visit Himachal Pradesh.
The Himachal Niketan being constructed would have two VIP rooms, there will be 36 general rooms exclusively for the students with all facilities, and 40 other general suites.