BILASPUR: National BJP President Jagat Prakash Nadda and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur reviewed the progress of various developmental works at the 750-bedded All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS),  Bilaspur, the four-lane, railways and temple restoration projects in the region today.

On this occasion, Jagat Prakash Nadda, who is also Rajya Sabha MP   said  the AIIMS doctors work with complete devotion in service of humanity- a long cherished tradition. Therefore, no compromise can be made with the quality of the institution and potentiality of doctors, he added. 

He appreciated the efforts of the Centre and State government for bringing up 750 bedded AIIMS institution at Bilaspur, with an expenditure of Rs. 1471 crore, which was nearing completion. Special emphasis is being laid on posting of doctors and health workers along with development of infrastructure at AIIMS to provide better health facilities to the people at the earliest, he added.

Nadda said  the four-laning work of Kiratpur-Ner Chowk National Highway is under progress. As many as 22 big bridges and 15 small bridges and five double lane tunnels were also being constructed on 47.75  KM   long road. On completion of the four-lane work, the distance from Garamora to Mandi will be reduced by 40 km and the travel time would also be reduced. The distance between Bilaspur and Garamora would also be reduced to 23 kilometers.

He said that the work of Bhanupalli railway line to be constructed at a cost of Rs.6753 crore is also in progress, under which 48.6 kilometer line would be laid in Himachal Pradesh. As many as 20 tunnels and 26 main bridges would be built on this track. Under this project, the work of land acquisition up to Beri has been almost completed.

Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that Rs. 1400 crore project has been prepared to restore the ancient historical temples of Bilaspur, which have been submerged in Govind Sagar Lake, which is proposed to be implemented in three phases. The state government has also announced this in the budget. The project will be completed in collaboration with international agencies.

He said that in the first phase of the project, it is proposed to restore these temples in Nale Ka Naun. In the second phase of this project, Sandu ground would be developed as a tourist spot. In the third phase, a water reservoir would be built around the temples by constructing a barrage near Mandi Bharari. River front and walkways etc. would also be developed in this.

Jai Ram Thakur said that Bilaspur would be developed as an ideal tourist destination with this ambitious plan and would also revive the old history and culture of Bilaspur, to which the sentiments of all Bilaspur residents are attached.

Chief Minister said that Rs 66 crore Kol dam Lift Drinking Water Project has been approved with the objective of providing 21 lakh liters of drinking water per day to AIIMS and Hydro Engineering College and 97 percent work of which has been completed. An amount of Rs. 10 crore is being spent on the construction of 50 bedded Maternal and Child Health Care Center in Bilaspur and 70 percent of its construction work has been completed. Besides this, about Rs. 2.5 crore were being spent on the repair of Regional Hospital Bilaspur and the work of which is in progress.

A presentation on AIIMS projects, Bhanupalli Rail project, four laning of national highway and rehabilitation of submerged temples in Govindsagar was also made on the occasion. 

Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs Minister Rajinder Garg, MP and State BJP President Suresh Kashyap, MLA Subhash Thakur, MLA J.R. Katwal, Vice Chairman of State Disaster Management Board Randhir Sharma, Political Advisor to Chief Minister Trilok Jamwal, Chief Secretary Ram Subhag Singh, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister Subhasish Panda, Director of Department of Tourism Amit Kashyap, Deputy Commissioner Pankaj Rai, Superintendent of Police S.R. Rana, Executive Director AIIMS Dr. Veer Singh Negi, Director of Department of Language and Culture Dr. Pankaj Lalit, Additional General Manager, Railway Development Corporation Limited Sushil Mahajan, Joint General Manager Anmol Nagpal and other senior officers were also present on the occasion.