Most of rain affected roads restored in Himachal: Minister

Shimla, Sep 25 (UNI) Most of the major roads damaged due to rain-related incidents, including landslides, have now been cleared in the hill state, Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister, Gulab Singh Thakur said here today.

Of the 984 roads blocked due to incessant rains, 690 roads have been opened for the vehicular traffic and 93 roads would be opened by tonight, Mr Thakur said while presiding over the review meeting to take stock about the relief and rehabilitation operations in the state.

Revealing that at least 150 Government heavy machines and 210 private heavy machines have been deployed in the restoration work in various places, the PWD minister said. Sarchu road in Lahaul and Spiti district had been re-opened and the rescue work had been started to evacuate more than 300 people stranded at Sarchu and Bharatpur, to Manali, he added.

The Chhatru road has also been opened and people struck there were being moved to safer places, he said adding that four tourists from Tabo and 12 from Kaza have been airlifted.

He said 11 people staying at Batal were well and were being provided with all the facilities. In Kinnaur district, the road from Maling to Juery have been reopened for vehicular traffic, he added.

The traffic suspended on roads in the inner parts of the State would be opened soon, he said.

The interrupted water supply schemes were also being restored gradually he said.

Rakesh Kaushal, Secretary, Revenue and Divisional Commissioner, Shimla said that Shimla, Sirmour and Kinnaur were among the most affected districts due to heavy rains and all possible assistance was being provided by the administration to the people of these places.

UNI XC JN SR AS1931