HP CM seeks CNG fuel to cut transportation costs

Shimla, Feb 20 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today urged the Centre to supply CNG fuel to the state to cut transportation costs and check vehicle pollution.

''Introduction of CNG buses, tempos and taxis will help in cutting transportation costs in the relatively plain districts of Sirmaur, Solan, Bilaspur, Una, Kangra and Hamirpur districts,'' he said during his meeting with Union Petroleum Minister Murli Deora at Delhi today.

Mr Dhumal said besides providing cheap transportation of passengers and goods, the CNG fuel will also check vehicle pollution in Himachal, which is mainly dependent on transporation of goods and people on roads in the absence of better rail or air connectivity.

Coupled with complete ban of green felling, air and water quality in the state has improved considerably and the CNG fuel will add to it on the pattern of National Capital Region (NCR) Delhi, he added.

He said all habitation with a population of moer than 500 people will be connected with all weather roads by the end of the next year.

Referring to the on-going works on strengthening road network in the state, the Chief Minister said besides construction of 3,000 km roads, the state government will carry out metalling and tarring of 3,500 km roads during the eleventh five year plan.

During the plan, over 200 villages will be connected with a motorable road, he added.

Mr Dhumal said his government will purchase 1,260 buses during the eleventh plan period of which 300 buses will be purchased during the this financial year (2008-09).

UNI AS VKJ AK BST2023