Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met the Union Raksha Mantri, Rajnath Singh at New Delhi today. He urged for constructing an air strip at Rangrik in Spiti Valley, which will be of strategic importance as the location was situated at an aerial distance of 50 km from the International border with Tibet.
Pressing the demand for Airstrip, the Chief Minister said that Spiti has no other alternate access except National Highway (NH) 505. The Chief Minister also urged the Union Minister for relocation of Ammunition Depot Powari. He said that two alternate sites have been identified for the same and requested for appropriate action. He added that the state government was committed to provide the land.
He said that the 450 MW Shongtong Karcham hydel project on the left bank of River Satluj was just opposite to this depot and added that so far excavation work for silt flushing tunnel is being done from inlet portal and not outlet portal due to some detrimental restrictions from ammunition depot. He said that the matter was discussed with Centre for Fire Explosives and Environment Safety to approve and finalize methodology for controlled blasting till ammunition depot is relocated enabling state government to undertake excavation from outlet portal.
Sukhu also requested for strengthening road infrastructure on NH maintained by Border Road Organization (BRO) besides constructing new roads for connecting villages adjoining border areas. He also discussed redevelopment of old Hindustan-Tibet road, developing parallel stretch from Jeori to Bhabanagar and developing Khab-Leo-Chango road besides Bhabha Mudh road with a tunnel under Bhaba top. This will reduce distance between Kaza and Shimla by 70 km. He also stressed upon developing intermediate roads. The Raksha Mantri gave a patient hearing and assured of all possible assistance. Chief Secretary, Prabodh Saxena and Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Bharat Khera was also present on the occasion.
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