To provide all-weather road connectivity to Pangi, that remains cut off for six months owning to snow, the Himachal Pradesh government would take up the matter regarding construction of Chini Tunnel with the Union Government.

This was stated by Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Tuesday while presiding over the district level Fulyatra Utsav of Pangi in Kilar of Chamba district.

The CM said that the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and survey for Dharaman-Killar National Highway would be expedited so that the construction of this road could be started at the earliest.

Thakur said the DPR for construction of Chini Tunnel would also be included in overall DPR so that the area could be connected with the all weather National Highway.

He said this would open new avenues of development in the area. Efforts would be made to construct a small solar power plant in the area to provide uninterrupted power supply, particularly in the winter season, he said.

A specialist doctor would also be provided in the area for the benefit of the people, he added.

Thakur said that four additional Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) buses would be provided to Killar for the benefit of the commuters.

He announced that science lecturers would be posted soon at the Degree College Killar for the benefit of the students.

The CM announced the opening of a separate Senior Secondary School for Girls at Killar. He also announced up gradation of Government High School Sural to Government Senior Secondary School and the opening of Veterinary Dispensary at Udaan Matori. He said he would take up the matter of communication connectivity with the authorities of Jio and Airtel for improving the same in the area.

Earlier, the CM laid the foundation stone of Nature Park at Killar to be constructed at a cost of about Rs 3 crore.

Agriculture and Tribal Development Minister Dr Ram Lal Markanda said that soon after assuming office, the present state government took several decisions for the welfare of the tribal people.

The people working in tribal areas of the state were given their pay and allowances in advance, but the previous government stopped providing this advance, he said, adding that the incumbent government had restored the same and also increased the budget for tribal areas.