Will complete road restoration in U'khand by April end: BRO

The Border Roads Organisation has said that it will ensure complete restoration of the roads damaged in the Uttarakhand flash floods by April 30 to enable a smooth and trouble-free 'char dham' pilgrimage this season.
An assurance to the effect was given by BRO DG, Lt Gen AT Parnaik, to Chief Minister Harish Rawat and Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Oscar Fernandes at a meeting in Haridwar yesterday, according to a release here.
BRO has been entrusted with the task of repair and reconstruction of damaged roads leading to the famous Himalayan shrines of Badrinath, Kedarnath, Yamunotri and Gangotri.

BRO has sought adequate manpower, machinery and material from the government to help it achieve its target, the release added.
It was agreed that BRO will formally submit its requirements to the state government by February 15.
BRO has also been asked to identify road stretches close to rivers which are vulnerable to erosion and submit a list in this regard to the state government for taking of corrective measures.

Rawat assured BRO that mobile vans, water tanks and food subsidy will be provided to its personnel who are engaged in road repair work.
Stone crushers and other building material will also be provided, he added.

Fernandes said that the entire amount sanctioned to BRO for restoring the road network would be released soon and assured that there will be no dearth of funds for the work.
Large stretches of roads in Uttarakhand suffered extensive damage in the mid-June flash floods in the state last year.