SHIMLA: Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has allocated a Rs. 23 crore to repair and restore roads damaged by heavy rains and landslides in different parts of the State. The top priority will be given to fixing roads in apple-growing regions, ensuring timely transportation of produce to markets, he said.
He said this while presiding over the a meeting here today which was attended by Education Minister Rohit Thakur and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh and other officials from PWD and other departments.
Chief Minister Sukhu directed officers to ensure the repair and restoration of roads damaged by natural calamities and earmarked Rs. 5 crore for the Yashwant Nagar to Chhaila road repair.
Rs. 1 crore each will be provided to seven divisions in apple-growing areas of Shimla district, and the severely affected blocks of Kullu and Sirmaur districts will receive the same financial aid.
To closely monitor the progress, the Chief Minister plans to visit Chopal, Jubbal, and Kotkhai areas where repair works are underway.
In Chopal division most of the link roads remained blocked, Chopal-Shantha-Deot-Kumra road is badly damaged and needs restoration for the Utility vehicles, leave along HRTC bus service, so that the farmers can transport apple to the markets.
PWD has not restoring link roads like Pabaash Kenchi-Shilgranh- Lastadhar on ground that these roads are not with PWD. 
Even Chopal-Chokia road is badly damaged between Jai Garh and Jarait. Most of the link roads in Thekra- Humbal- Antarauli, Kiran, Kupvi and Pulbahal areas are snapped.
In Kotkhai, Guma Khaltunala road also needs attention after the entire complex in the Bazaar collapsed and rendered the road with bi cracks.
He urged officials to purchase machinery for quick debris clearance, ensuring smoother vehicle movement.
Chief Minister assured that there will be no shortage of funds.
He advised the Public Works Department to adopt online booking with advance payment for their rest houses.
The removal of Clause 10 CC is set to curb construction cost escalation in the estimates of works, he said.
