The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has proposed two national highways of Himachal Pradesh for up-gradation to double lane traffic standards for the World Bank financial assistance.Disclosing this here today, Additional Chief Secretary Manisha Nanda said that these national highways are Hamirpur-Mandi section of NH-70 (New NH-03) having length of 124 kilometers and Paonta Sahib-Gumma section of NH-72B (New NH-707) having length of 97 Kilometers with estimated project costs of Rs. 909.81 crores and Rs. 779.10 crores respectively. The Hamirpur-Mandi NH will be developed as green highway for sustainable environment and inclusive growth.She said that the World Bank Mission is currently on tour of Himachal Pradesh to inspect the above roads and will held discussions with the state government functionaries for the way forward to implement the road projects.Manisha Nanda said that due to the efforts of the state government, the World Bank has also approved the second phase of HP State Road Transformation Programme to be executed by HP Road and other Infrastructure Development Corporation (HPRIDC). The total project cost is Rs. 770 crores.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur has thanked the Ministry of Economic Affairs (MEA) and Union Finance Minister for giving clearance to this project and has assured that the state government stands committed for HPRIDC project. Under this project, state network roads measuring 650 kms. will be upgraded to double lane standards in three tranches. Besides, 350 kms road length will be provided periodic maintenance with overall cost of this project being Rs. 3800 Crores.Manisha Nanda said that the World Bank funded HP State Road Project-Phase-I, which was launched in 2007, has been completed. As many as 10 roads measuring 435 kilometers have been upgraded to intermediate/double lane standard except one road namely Theog-Kotkhai-Hatkoti-Rohru road the contract of which has been terminated in September 2018 due to recurrent poor performance by the contractor.She said another 74 roads measuring 1485 Km. were treated with periodic maintenance, 25 black spots were improved and four core roads measuring 347 kms were taken up for long term output and performance based maintenance on pilot basis. The total expenditure incurred on this project was Rs. 2298 crore with World Bank loan of Rs. 1620 crore and Rs. 678 crores as State share.