Cong submits memo to HP Guv on delay in four laning of Pathankot-Mandi NH

Himachal Pradesh Congress leaders on Wednesday submitted a memorandum to Governor Bandaru Dattatreya over undue delay in four laning of Pathankot-Mandi national highway.

In the memorandum, Congress leaders Ajay Mahajan and Kewal Singh Pathania stated that work for the widening of Pathankot-Mandi road has not yet begun despite acquisition of the land for the project three years ago.

Former chief minister Shanta Kumar and Mandi MP Ram Swaroop Sharma had promised to start the project but nothing has been done so far in this regard, they alleged.

The Congress leaders further stated in the memorandum that two persons -- Rajesh Sharma and Ashok Pathania -- have been sitting on hunger strike in support of their demand of early construction of the four-lane highway.

Union Minister of Road, Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari had laid foundation stone for the four-lane highway at Shahpur in February this year and made a provision of Rs 1,500 crore for the project, they added.

If the project has been withdrawn, the land with 12 per cent interest as compensation should be returned to the actual owners," the Congress leaders said in the memorandum.