Road network to be strengthened: Minister
Tribune News Service

Shimla, July 29
All roads of industrial importance in the state will be improved and
upgraded so as to ensure smooth plying of vehicles and overcoming the
problem of traffic congestion.

This was stated by public works minister Thakur Gulab Singh while
presiding over a meeting of senior official of the PWD here
today. "The government has approved the setting up of six cement
projects. As this will entail huge traffic movement, the existing
road infrastructure needs to be strengthened," he said.

In order to facilitate the movement of clinker and cement from the
proposed Sundernagar cement plant, a bypass would be constructed
shortly, he added. "Fifty per cent of the cost of the bypass would be
borne by the company executing the cement plant," he said. The
company setting up the cement plant at Chopal had also agreed to
share 50 per cent of the cost for widening of the road. The detailed
project report for the same had already been prepared.

The minister said the designated industrial areas also require better
roads. "The four-km stretch of the road from Kala Amb to Trilokpur
would be improved to ease out traffic congestion," he said. He said
the Road Infrastructure Development Corporation would carry out a
detailed survey of the road from Salappar to Alsundi, where a cement
plant was proposed, and submit the report to the government.

Thakur said it had already been decided to declare the Lal Dhang-
Paonta-Rajban road a national highway and the approval of the
Planning Commission had already been taken.

The minister said the stress would also be on upgrading and ensuring
proper maintenance of roads of tourist and pilgrimage importance for
the convenience of tourists.