Parwanoo-Shimla four-lane project gets a push.

The Parwanoo-Shimla four-lane project is finally inching towards reality with the ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) giving green signal to the construction of 62 km road. With that, now forest clearance is awaited only for 28-km stretch passing through Shimla district. The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) is planning to start the ambitious Rs. 3,300-crore project in May this year.

Sources said following the clearance from the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests, over 20,000 big and small trees will be cut to make way for the project. However, the only hurdle in the early completion of the project is getting clearance for the 28-km stretch.

According to NHAI project director Satish Kaul, of the proposed 90 km road, 62 km is clear while only 28 km needs clearance. He said for the last two years forest officials in Shimla were not able to do the final counting of trees. 'Initially, they had counted trees after putting in six months of labour, but then they themselves challenged the counting. For the last two years the issue has been pending,' he added.

Once the project is completed, it will cut short the distance to Shimla by 17 km and save around 40-45 minutes travel time. Sources said the project was being funded on engineering, procurement and contract (EPC) basis by the union government under which the basic condition is to get 90% land acquired before funding.

Kaul said the project was to be completed in three years after acquiring the land, but so far required help is not being given by the Shimla administration. 'Once 90% acquisition is completed, we will start the work in Mayor June,' he added.

To make travel between Parwanoo and Shimla smooth, the expressway project was planned by the NHAI that has a provision for 26 km of new road stretch between Kaithlighat and Kufri-Mashobra junction near Shimla to cut short the arduous journey by 17 km. The NHAI has already prepared a detailed project report of 90 km four-lane project between Parwanoo and Shimla.


TIMES OF INDIA