Virbhadra promises law to make air routes safe in Himachal

Shimla, Jul 09 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh today said that his government would consider bringing in a legislation, if required, with regard to marking of the pylons, transmission lines and ropeways in the valleys all over the state for the safety of the air routes.

Responding to the Army demand at Civil and Military Liaison Conference here for ensuring clear skies and roads for defence personnel, Mr Singh said that the matter would be examined by the experts and all related aspects taken into consideration so that any danger to the air safety was averted.

He said that the ropeways and spans would be permitted only in the areas at low heights which did not hamper the air safety.

He directed the Chief Secretary to take cognisance of the matter and report the matter to him on priority.

On the occasion Mr Singh also called for raising of two more battalions of Eco-task Force for Ravi and Beas catchment areas with a view to preserve the flora and fauna of the region.

Mr Singh, said the hill state had already raised 133 infantary Battalion Dogra Ecological Force on March 15, 2006 besides having closer coordination between the civil and military administration for effective disaster management.

He said that the fragile ecology of the lower Himalayas, especially of Himachal Pradesh, was more prone to flooding of the rivers due to flash floods and cloud bursts which had been causing massive damage to public and private properties as also to infrastructure, like buildings, roads and bridges, thereby throwing the normal life out of gear.

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