Himachal Pradesh CM dedicates developmental projects worth Rs. 76.25 crore for Jubbal area

Shimla: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth about Rs. 76.25 crore in Jubbal area of Jubbal-Kotkhai Vidhan Sabha area of Shimla district through video conferencing from Shimla today.

The projects dedicated by the Chief Minister include Rs. 4.14 crore Dhansar village link road constructed under PMGSY which had provided facility to about 352 people, upgradation and metalling of Ghayan- Sojala link road completed with a cost of Rs. 3.85 crore to facilitate about 450 persons, Rs. 54.46 lakh Malog-Pansari link road which would benefit 210 persons, Rs. 61.11 lakh Badal-Banana-Katarala-Naliban link road which would facilitate about 221 people and Rs. 30.78 lakh Mural-Veergarh link road.

He inaugurated drinking water supply scheme for left out habitations of Gram Panchayat, Shilli constructed at a cost of Rs. 79.09 lakh and Rs. 40.78 lakh water supply scheme for partially covered habitations of Gram Panchayat Mandal. He also inaugurated Sub Division Office and Store of Public Works Department Saraswati Nagar (Hatkoti) constructed at a cost of Rs. 39 lakh.

Jai Ram Thakur laid foundation stones of 66 KV Sub Station
Hatkoti to be constructed at cost of Rs. 39.58 crore to facilitate about one lakh people, auditorium of Lal Bahadur Shastri Government Degree College Saraswati Nagar to be built at a cost of Rs. 8.37 crore, building of veterinary hospital Nakarari to be constructed at a cost of Rs. 30 lakh.

Chief Minister also performed foundation stone laying ceremonies of Rs.1.07 crore Kharshal-Shiloli via Dhansar link road, construction of Rs. one crore Sub Division Office, Jubbal and residences of officials of Public Works Department, Rs. 73.42 lakh Sarali-Kapari-Sanoli link road to facilitate about 260 people, Rs. 45.40 lakh Salana village link road to provide road connectivity to about 253 people, Rs. 38.63 lakh Jakhaila-Dogari-Madek link road to facilitate about 302 persons, Rs. 38.63 lakh Chhikali village link road and Rs. 34.23 Shili-Raushal link road.

Jai Ram Thakur laid foundation stones of Rs. 6.43 crore lift and flow drinking water supply scheme to left out houses of villages of Ravi, Thana, Pandranu, Jhalta, Giltadi and Anti Gram Panchayats under Jal Jivan Mission, Rs. 2.77 crore lift and flow drinking water supply scheme to left out houses of villages of Kathasu, Mandol, Kot-Kaena, Sari, Baral and Dhar panchayats under Jal Jivan Mission, Rs. 1.74 crore lift and flow drinking water supply scheme to left out houses of villages of Jharag, Nakarari, Jhalta and Ravi gram panchayats, Rs. 1.23 crore lift and flow drinking water supply scheme to left houses of villages of Shili, Parali, Jai Pidi Mata and Sheel panchayats under Jal Jivan Mission and augmentation of drinking water supply scheme for Jubbal town and Nagar panchayat to be done at a cost of Rs. 37 lakh.

Jai Ram Thakur said that work was in progress in Jubbal-Kotkhai area on 14 roads under NABARD by spending an amount of Rs 49 crore. He said that two roads were being completed under Central Road Fund by spending an amount of Rs 20 crore and Rs 68 crore were being spent on construction of sixteen roads under PMGSY. He said that Rs 25 crore was being spent on construction of 42 buildings of various departments. Similarly, rupees seven crore were being spent on annual maintenance of 51 roads in the area, he added.

Chief Minister said that an amount of Rs 13.81 crore was being spent on various water supply and irrigation schemes during the current financial year in the area. He said that an amount of Rs. 10.51 crore was being spent to strengthen horticulture activities in the area. He said that Rs 7.95 crore have been provided to about 881 horticulturists of the area for providing anti hail nets and rupees three crore were provided to the farmers for purchase of tools, power sprayers, power tillers and for construction of water storage tanks in the area.

Jai Ram Thakur said that the COVID-19 pandemic has forced us to interact with each other virtually through electronic mode of communication. He said that the situation in the State was not so alarming as compared to most of the States of the country. He said that to ensure that the pace of development does not hamper due to the Coronavirus, the Government has decided to lay foundation stones of the projects online and also dedicate various developmental projects online.

Chief Minister said that horticulture is the major base of our economy. He said that the Government has ensured that the horticultural activities do not suffer due to lockdown. He said that thus the Government exempted the horticulture and farm activities even during the lockdown. He said that over three hundred shops of horticulture implements and inputs were allowed to open even during the lockdown. He said that carton factories were also allowed to function so that there was no dearth of carton boxes. He said that adequate labourers were also made available for the horticulturists not only from Nepal, but also from districts like Sirmaur, Mandi, and Chamba etc.

Jal Shakti Minister Mahender Singh Thakur said that under the Pradhan Mantri Sinchaye Yojna, six schemes worth Rs. 42 crore were being implemented in the Jubbal-Kotkhai area. He said that this would provide irrigation facilities to about 2292.02 hectare farm land. He said that the Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur himself was a horticulturist and understands the problems of the farmers.

Chief Whip and local MLA Narender Bragta while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries thanked him for dedicating developmental projects worth crores of rupees for the area. He said that it was unfortunate that the Congress leaders of the area were not able to digest the development going in the area and thus were making false and baseless allegations. He thanked the Chief Minister for being considerate towards the developmental aspirations of the people of the area. He said that Chief Minister has ensured that the horticulturists of the area do not face any inconvenience due to COVID-19 crisis in marketing of their produce. He said that effective steps have been taken to facilitate the growers to market their produce. He said that the Shimla-Theog-Hatkoti-Rohru road, which was hanging fire for long time was completed during the tenure of the present State Government.

Member of Parliament Shimla Parliamentary Constituency Suresh Kashyap said that the developmental projects dedicated by the Chief Minister today would provide people of the area better facilities and the area was poised to emerge as model Vidhan Sabha area of the State.

BJP Mandal President Gopal, Deputy Commissioner Shimla Amit Kashyap, Managing Director HPSEBL R.K. Sharma, Engineer-in-Chief PWD Bhawan Sharma were present on the occasion among others.