Army asks state to make sky, roads clear and safe

Shimla, July 9 (UNI) The defence forces today urged the Himachal Pradesh government to take prompt measures to make the skies and roads in the Himalayan state safe for its personnel.

Western command's General Officer Commanding in Chief Lt Gen Daljeet Singh today raised the issues of unauthorised wires criss-crossing the valleys in the state during the Millitary-Civil Liaision conference organised by the state government at Peterhoff here today.

"The crisscrossing wires jeopardised the operations of the Air Force and had even proved fatal for its personnel,'' he said, and urged prompt and suitable measures to ensure safety of air routes.

He also stressed that the mountainous roads leading to borders needed to be improved to make the movement of defence vehicles safe and smooth. It was specially needed in the border district of Kinnaur where heavy machinery of the hydel projects was being transported, he added.

He urged state Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh to provide land for development of the Army Welfare Housing colonies in the state. He also demanded that a separate grievances cell be set up to redress the complaints of the serving and retired soldiers.

UNI