Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri met Union Minister of Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari at his residence in New Delhi today and thanked him for extending a generous hand towards Himachal Pradesh.
He stated that in view of its diverse topographical conditions, the development of hilly states like Himachal Pradesh solely depends upon expanding the road and bridge infrastructure.
While raising certain prominent issues pertaining to transport department, he informed the Union Minister that the state government has requested the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highway regarding increasing the validity of All India taxi permits from existing 12 years to 15 years, keeping in view the demand of the operators and All India taxi permit should also be granted for 15 years, keeping in view the vehicle scraping policy period of 15 years.
Sh. Gadkari assured that he would look into the matter sympathetically and also directed the authorities concerned to process the case accordingly.
Sh. Agnihotri also urged the Union Minister to release the remaining funds to the tune of Rs.7.63 crores under the scheme for special assistance to the State for capital investment (incentives for scrapping of old vehicles).
He also demanded to declare Nangal to Jaijon road as National highway as it would also cater to the proposed bulk drug park. Shri Agnihotri stated that a DPR to the tune of Rs.429 crores has already been prepared and it would be submitted to Government of India under Gati Shakti scheme.
He also urged that the proposed four-laning of NH 503 A from Amritsar to Hoshiarpur may be extended from Bankhandi (HP boundary) to Jhaleda. This is a stretch of approximately 15 kms and would connect Shree Anandpur Sahib and Mata Chintpurni, which would also benefit the pilgrim visiting these two shrines. Sh. Agnihotri also raised the issue of connectivity between Chandigarh to Baddi industrial area. Sh. Gadkri stated that this issue is in active consideration of Government of India.
The Deputy Chief Minister also raised the issue for approval for up-gradation of link road Jaijon Modh to Tahliwal Chowk via Bhai-Ka-Modh and three bridges for which Rs. 48.69 crore be provided under CR|IF. The Union Minister assured that he would approve it on priority. The Union Minister directed that DPR under the Gati Shakti scheme may be prepared and submitted to the Ministry accordingly.
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