Shimla, Apr 10 (UNI) Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Thakur Gulab Singh has emphasised the need for greater NABARD funding for strengthening road network in the state.

The PWD Minister, while presiding over the meeting of senior officers of NABARD and Public Works Department here last evening, urged the NABARD authorities to treat this hilly state under different parameters since executing the development projects was much more expensive and need more time for completion as compared to the plain areas.

He said the state government was concerned about the fragile ecology of the Himalayas and was committed to protect the same.

A survey would be conducted to explore the possibilities of boring tunnels in order to the reduce distance, he said, adding the opinion of experts would be taken to conduct the same so that it would have minimum impact on ecology.

He informed that NABARD would provide training to the engineers of Public Works Department to acquaint them about latest technical advancement in the field of road and bridge construction. This workshop would be organised by NABARD in all the three zones of the state.

The Minister said 723 projects, which include 178 bridge and 545 road projects were being implemented in the state by NABARD and out of these 113 bridge and 196 road projects had been completed.

During the year 2007-08 NABARD had sanctioned 99 road and bridge projects worth Rs 184.23 crore.

''NABARD is doing a commendable work in supplementing the efforts of state government to provide road connectivity in every nook and corner of the state,'' he said.

In the meeting, NABARD Chief General Manager S T Raghu Raman detailed various activities of NABARD aimed at strengthening road infrastructure in the state.

UNI XC AS PS JT HT1735