Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur directed the officers to expedite the work on four-laning of National Highway (NH) projects, so that these could be completed within the stipulated time period and commuters could be facilitated from these. Jai Ram Thakur was presiding over the review meeting with regard to acquisition of land for High Priority Infrastructure Projects, here today.Chief Minister said that rationalization of circle rates of land acquisition was under consideration and after consent from State Cabinet and thereafter amendment in circle rates of land acquisition would be notified in respect of Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh section of National Highway-105. He said that the National Highway Authority of India would be required to acquire the balance 4.43 hectare private land and the remaining structures to start four-laning works on this road. He said that this road would provide best infrastructure facilities to the entrepreneurs and give a big boost to the industrialization in the area.Chief Minister said that work on Kaithlighat to Dhalli stretch of Parwanoo-Shimla National Highway must be expedited. He said that encumbrance free land in all respects would be made available at the earliest by demolishing all structures, distribution of compensation and removal of all utilities including cutting of trees.
Jai Ram Thakur said that work on Parwanoo-Solan section of NH-05 has been awarded to M/s G.R. Infra Projects Limited and about 85 percent physical progress had been achieved till date. He said that the Solan-Kaithlighat section of NH-05 was being executed by M/s Airef Engineers Pvt. Ltd. and M/s Prakash Esphlatings and Toll Highway (I) Limited and about 12.50 percent physical progress has been achieved.Chief Minister expressed his concern over delay in construction of four-laning of Kiratpur-Ner Chowk section. He said that till date only about 62 percent physical progress has been achieved in this project. He said that similarly only 4.92 percent progress has been achieved in Ner Chowk-Pandoh project which needed to be expedited. He also expressed concern over the bad condition of this road and directed the National Highways Authority of India to take up maintenance of this project to facilitate the commuters.Jai Ram Thakur said that all the bottlenecks such as FCA and identification of dumping sites would be taken up on priority so that all these projects could be completed in stipulated time period. He also directed the HPSEB authorities to replace their electrical structures and power lines to suitable places so that they do not hamper the smooth construction of roads.Principal Secretary, PWD J.C. Sharma welcomed the Chief Minister and conducted the proceedings of the meeting.Chief Secretary Anil Kumar Khachi, Additional Chief Secretaries Ram Subhag Singh and Manoj Kumar, Principal Secretaries Onkar Sharma and Sanjay Kundu, Secretary Dr. R.N. Batta, Engineer in Chief PWD, Projects Lalit Bhushan, Deputy Commissioner, Solan K.C. Chaman, representatives of NHAI and other senior officers were also present in the meeting.