Shimla, Oct 14 Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday announced that a tunnel would be constructed under Kunzum Pass to provide better year-round road connectivity to locals and tourists.
He said a survey would be conducted and a detailed project report (DPR) would be prepared for the construction of a tunnel beneath Kunzum Pass, as he announced that Rs 500 crore would be spent on Spiti’s development in the coming years.
Kunzum Pass is a high-altitude mountain pass which connects the Lahaul and Spiti valleys in Himachal Pradesh.
In a public meeting in Kaza during his two-day visit to Spiti valley, Sukhu said a survey would also be conducted for the construction of a heliport in Kaza to boost tourism activities and benefit residents.
Further, the Sumdo-Kaza transmission line is targeted for completion within three years, at an estimated cost of Rs 350 crore, the chief minister said.
While emphasising that his government was paying special attention to the development of the populations living in the areas within cold desert regions, Sukhu said the state government was working towards doubling the income of Spiti people and considering releasing an instalment of Dearness Allowance on Diwali.
The chief minister announced that Spiti valley would be declared a natural farming area and said the possibility of opening a college in Kaza would be explored, according to a statement issued here.
In addition, gynaecologists and medicine specialists would be appointed in Kaza.
The chief minister also said that during the previous BJP government’s tenure, only 35 per cent of the sanctioned staff positions were filled in the state’s medical colleges and other healthcare institutions, which, under the present government, has increased to 70 per cent.
Referring to Ayushman Bharat, he said the state’s share amounted to nearly Rs 26 crore under the scheme for the period 2023-27, but the state’s expenditure on it exceeded this by approximately Rs 204 crore.
He further claimed that by closing avenues for corruption, the state government has generated an additional Rs 4,000 crore in revenue, which was being used to implement public welfare schemes.
The chief minister said a major movement against vote theft was being built under the leadership of Rahul Gandhi. Accusing the BJP of horse-trading, he said an attempt was made to topple the present state government, but by the god’s grace the government was still continuing.
Earlier, MLA Anuradha Rana said the land of Buddhist culture symbolised compassion and love, and that the chief minister understood the problems of ordinary people because he himself had overcome difficulties through struggle.
She said the state government was making efforts to promote tourism in Spiti, and an ice hockey ground and a cricket ground had been approved for the region.
(PTI News)
