Work on Rohtang Tunnel to begin by May

Shimla, Jan 20 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal today said the construction work on the Rohtang Tunnel is likely to start by May this year.

The Union Minister of State for Defence M M Pallam Raju in a has evinced interest in carrying out the construction work on the nine km long tunnel below the Rohtang Pass, he said in a release here.

Mr Dhumal said to undertake the project, global tenders had been floated by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) and for the expeditious completion of the tunnel he would take up the matter with the Centre from time to time.

''The BRO will be provided help from the state government for execution and completion of the project and the concerned authorities have been given directions to coordinate with them,'' he informed.

He also said the tunnel would help in marketing of agriculture and horticulture products outside the state as well.

The construction of the tunnel would also reduce the distance by over 70 km, besides, providing all time road access to the remote district, he added.

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