MoH moves to facilitate road construction in Sikkim
21 Aug 2014 6:02 AM IST
It was learnt that a ‘steering committee’ has been set up under the chairmanship of secretary, Border Management to execute the facilities, which became important after several complaints of road projects being delayed due to ‘difficult working conditions’ reached the PMO.
In a review meeting it was discussed that since China can go ahead with its new railway line connecting Lhasa with Tibet’s second city-Shigatse, where the terrain is even more difficult then why Central Public Works Department (CPWD) can’t do the same when it comes to roads.
MHA sources said, ‘The railway line connecting Lhasa with Shigatse is located at the altitude of 13,000 ft with 96 tunnels. Our road project along the China border in Sikkim is also situated at a height of 13,000 ft but we need to explore our engineering marvels.’
The union home minister Rajnath Singh asked his officials to initiate talks with the concerned departments to take up the challenges to expedite all the pending ‘road projects’ in those bordering areas of Sikkim and other parts of India, which share border with China.
During the review meeting, Singh was told that better facilities should be given to the construction workers and engineers for the speedy completion of works. He was also told about China’s special package to its people involved in border transport management.
Sources said, the home ministry officials were asked to hitch up their trousers after China made an announcement that it wants to extend the railway line from Lhasa-Shigatse to bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
Soon after listening to all the problems and issues related to delay in the road projects, the ministry has announced to set up ‘Oxygen centers’, winter clothes and better medical facilities for all the people involved in those challenging projects.
‘CPWD officials complain that no one wants to work in the difficult terrain unless they are given better facilities. Also, we cannot ask anyone to continue with the work because of low Oxygen level. But now with such facilities being announced by the ministry, we are hopeful to see some fruitful results in coming months,’ MHA sources said.
As per report, the central government is coming up with eight roads of strategic importance along the border of China in the states of Sikkim (three projects) and Uttarakhand (five road projects) measuring 191.35 kilometers.
In a review meeting it was discussed that since China can go ahead with its new railway line connecting Lhasa with Tibet’s second city-Shigatse, where the terrain is even more difficult then why Central Public Works Department (CPWD) can’t do the same when it comes to roads.
MHA sources said, ‘The railway line connecting Lhasa with Shigatse is located at the altitude of 13,000 ft with 96 tunnels. Our road project along the China border in Sikkim is also situated at a height of 13,000 ft but we need to explore our engineering marvels.’
The union home minister Rajnath Singh asked his officials to initiate talks with the concerned departments to take up the challenges to expedite all the pending ‘road projects’ in those bordering areas of Sikkim and other parts of India, which share border with China.
During the review meeting, Singh was told that better facilities should be given to the construction workers and engineers for the speedy completion of works. He was also told about China’s special package to its people involved in border transport management.
Sources said, the home ministry officials were asked to hitch up their trousers after China made an announcement that it wants to extend the railway line from Lhasa-Shigatse to bordering areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
Soon after listening to all the problems and issues related to delay in the road projects, the ministry has announced to set up ‘Oxygen centers’, winter clothes and better medical facilities for all the people involved in those challenging projects.
‘CPWD officials complain that no one wants to work in the difficult terrain unless they are given better facilities. Also, we cannot ask anyone to continue with the work because of low Oxygen level. But now with such facilities being announced by the ministry, we are hopeful to see some fruitful results in coming months,’ MHA sources said.
As per report, the central government is coming up with eight roads of strategic importance along the border of China in the states of Sikkim (three projects) and Uttarakhand (five road projects) measuring 191.35 kilometers.
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