Damage to Himachal roads due to rain Rs.332 crore

Calcutta News.Net
Saturday 28th August, 2010

Heavy rains in Himachal Pradesh this season have damaged roads and bridges that may require at least Rs.332 crore for repairs, a minister said here Saturday.

'The state roads and bridges have suffered a loss of Rs.332 crore till date during the rainy season,' Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Gulab Singh Thakur told reporters here.

He said road connectivity is being restored on a priority, especially in apple-growing areas where the crop is waiting to be shifted to markets.

'The government has released Rs.10 crore to the PWD for restoration work,' he added.

Manmohan Singh, director of the meteorological office here, said: 'The monsoon has been plentiful this year as compared to last year. From June 1 till date, the state has received 675 mm rainfall against the average of 644 mm.'

He said the hill state last year saw a 53 percent rainfall deficiency as compared to the year before.

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