The Opposition Congress Party on Wednesday cornered the ruling Bharatiya Janata Party for politicising the newly announced National Highways in Himachal Pradesh.
The Congress Legislative Party leader Mukesh Agnihotri blamed the BJP of trying to get political mileage by announcing 69 NH before the last state Assembly elections held last year.
Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur during the Question Hour of the Budget session 13th Himachal Assembly on Wednesday in a reply to question of Mukesh Agnihotri, Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu and Satpal Raizada denying the charges said, “There is nothing to do with politics on the issue of newly announced NHs in the state.”
He maintained that in the last three years the Central government has sanctioned 3 NH, while 69 NH has been approved in principal.
“The construction of these 69 NH will only be started once the Detailed Project Report (DPR) is approved and the cost of construction is estimated. Centre has so far approved Rs 270 Crore for the preparation of DPRs,” CM said, adding that after awarding the job to the consultant for preparation of DPR, 8 month time has been provided for the preparation of the same.
The three NH that has been sanctioned has a length of 167.30 kms, while for the approved NH on principal the total length is 4210.00 kms, CM said.
Mukesh Agnihotri blamed the BJP for announcing the 69 NH in a hurry by the Union Minister Road Transport Highways Nitin Gadkari before the elections and so far nothing had been done.
“The announcement of NH by Nitin Gadkari had been done one and a half a year ago, the government has prepared DPR of 8 NHs and the government has set a target to complete the tender process till 31 March. Tender process for outsourcing of DPR of 51 NH has been completed. After this work on the ground will be started shortly,” he said.
