Distressed by snowfall, HP CM orders public works to restore traffic

Owing to heavy snowfall in higher reaches of Himachal Pradesh, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Sunday directed public works authorities to restore vehicular traffic on major roads on priority basis and link roads at the earliest.

Singh had to move out of his car and walk as his vehicle could not enter his residence Holly Lodge here at Jakhu state capital, Shimla.

He arrived here from Mandi after three days visit.

Chief engineer A.K. Kohli disclosed that major roads including Shimla-Manali and Shimla-Chandigarh National Highways had been opened for vehicular traffic.

Apart from these popular tourist places of the state, Kufri and Dalhousie have also been restored for traffic.

More than 70 major roads in the state have been opened by the department.

The department has pressed into service 195 JCB Machines, 20 Dozers, 10 front enloaders besides a large number of manpower to restore road connectivity in the affected areas of the state.

Singh also directed the HPSEB authorities to early restore power supply in the affected areas of the state.

He was apprised that the work was on war footing to restore Jutogh-Bharari 33 KV line which was damaged due to uprooted trees falling on the supply line.