Centre approves four laning of Zirakpur-Solan on NH 22

Shimla, Oct 1 (UNI) The Centre has approved the four-laning of National Highway No 22 from Zirakpur in Punjab to Solan in Himachal Pradesh under the National Highway Development Programme, an official spokesman today said The project likely to cost Rs 1,000 crore would be implemented by the National Highway Authority of India for which land acquisition process has already begun.

The spokesman said the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has also sanctioned a sum of Rs 13 crore for the construction of Chandigarh-Baddi road, while the Punjab and Haryana governments have been directed to construct the road falling within their territories.

The funds for the construction of the bridge have been sanctioned under the Inter-State Connectivity Programme and has to be completed before October next year, he said.

He said the state government has sought Rs 1,000 crore loan from World Bank for upgrading and maintaining five major roads, some state highways and important district roads.

The government has also sought funds for upgrading several other roads to create best road communication network and facilitate smooth vehicular movement in the state.

The spokesman said it has also decided to widen about 800 kms of Mehatpur-Una-Amb road, Una-Agahar Barsar-Jahu-Rewalsar-Mandi road, Ghumarwin-Sarkaghat-Jogindernagar road, Theog-Kotkhai-Rohru road, Kumarhatti-Sarahan-Nahan road after receiving World Bank assistance for which the detailed estimates of the roads were being prepared.

An additional 400 km Solan-Yashwantnagar Sainj road and Mubarkpur-Chintpurni-Dehra-Dharamsala road would also be double laned after receiving the feasibility report of consultant, he said, which includes Solan-Yashwantnagar Sainj road.

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