Kiratpur-Manali expressway gets central nod: Virbhadra

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday said the construction of a Rs 2,300-crore four-lane super expressway from Kiratpur in Punjab to the picturesque tourist resort Manali on the existing NH-21 in the state would start soon.

Himachal Pradesh chief minister Virbhadra Singh on Friday said the construction of a Rs 2,300-crore four-lane super expressway from Kiratpur in Punjab to the picturesque tourist resort Manali on the existing NH-21 in the state would start soon.

HT Image

The ministry of environment and forests has given approval to the state's proposal for acquiring 75 hectares of forest land in Bilaspur district for the road construction, he said.

IL&FS Engineering and Construction Company Ltd is constructing the project.

The CM said the state has begun the land acquisition process.

Officials said the Kiratpur-Manali four-lane expressway, which is presently in poor condition, would reduce the travelling time by up to two hours owing to less traffic jams and snarls.