Shimla, Aug 3 (UNI) Accepting the Himachal Pradesh Government's plea that the Tandi-Killar road should be handed over to it, the Centre has handed the 142 km road to the state and sanctioned a sum of Rs seven crore for its improvements and maintenance.

While the road was the only link between the people of Pangi Valley from the outside world, the Border Road Organisation (BRO) was according it a low priority following which no widening of the road had been undertaken during the last many years, he told a delegation lead by local MLA Thakur Singh Bharmauri who called on him here.

Mr Singh said the people of the Lahaul and Pangi area were dependant upon the road for travelling and transporting the agro produce outside the valley and the poor condition of the road was preventing the transportation of the agricultural produce to the markets in the markets in other states.

Following the demand by the public to take over the road from the BRO, the government raised the issue with the Centre, which has decided to hand it over to Himachal Government, he said.

He thanked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh for permitting the transfer of the land to the state government.

The Chief Minister said the Centre has agreed to provide annual maintenance grant for the road which would be over and above the expenditure the state government would be spending on the improvement of the road.

Although the Pangi Valley has now been connected with its district headquarters through Saach Pass and plying of lights vehicles have been allowed on it, the government would widened for the plying of heavy vehicles, he said.

He said the state government was also considering the construction of tunnels below the high passes, including the Saach Pass and Rohtang Pass, which would connect the valleys with all weather.

Besides, ensuring all the year connectivity of the residents of Pangi Valley with the rest of the country, it would also give a boost to tourism in the state, he added.

UNI