State Govt. to Spend Rs 25 Cr on upgradation of Garhshankar-Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi Road

Chandigarh, June 20 (Punjab Post Bureau) – After the Centre Government’s denial of funds for the repair of Anandpur Sahib- Garhshankar-and Anandpur Sahib -Naina Devi Road, State Government shoulders the responsibility of providing relief to pilgrims and commuters by sanctioning Rs. 25 crore for the repair of the said roads.

             Giving details, Mr. Vijay Inder Singla, PWD Minister Punjab informed that before the Lok Sabha Elections, the former Member of Parliament from Anandpur Sahib Constituency , Mr. Prem Singh Chandumajra, in a bid to get public mileage, had invited the then Minister for Road Transport & Highways of India, Mr. Nitin Gadkari and got a foundation Stone laid in haste by the Union Minister without obtaining the required administrative approvals from Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MORT&H). As a result, the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highways has backed away from providing funds for the repair of Anandpur Sahib- Garhshankar, 16.77 km and Anandpur Sahib-Naina Devi, 4.77 km stretch of roads.

            These roads are in a bad shape and are a source of inconvenience to the locals as well as pilgrims besides posing a constant threat to their safety. Heavily loaded tippers carrying weight of even up to 60 tonnes, ply on these roads thereby causing deep distress to the road surface. These roads lead to two very historic places namely Shri Anandpur Sahib and the holy Mata Naina Devi Mandir. Hence, to provide immediate respite to public, State Government has commenced the process of carrying out the repair work from its own funds, beginning with the floating of tender for the work on 21.06.2019.

            The tenders would be allotted by mid July and the work is likely to begin thereafter. “We will constantly monitor the repair work and ensure its completion within a year”, said Singla.