Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur said that the Atal tunnel would be completed by the end of August this year and Prime Minister would dedicate this project to the people of the country probably during the month of September. He was addressing the people at Sissu in Lahaul and Spiti district today.
Chief Minister appreciated the people of Lahaul Spiti for effectively tackling the corona pandemic. He urged the people of the district to keep the good working going on as this crisis was not yet over. He said that the country was fortunate to have an able and strong leadership in form of Prime Minister Narendra Modi. He said that the number of death due to COVID-19 in the fifteen most developed countries with a population of 142 crore was about five lakh, whereas in India having a population of 135 crore, about 17,000 had lost life due to Corona till date.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the situation in the State was quite under control. He said that there was sharp increase in corona patients in the State as over two lakh people stranded in different parts of the country were brought back to Himachal Pradesh. He said that the people of the State need not to worry as the Government was fully aware of the situation.
Chief Minister assured the people of the area that the State Government would ensure adequate availability of funds for developmental works. He said that since the working period was limited, therefore efforts must be made for time bound completion of various developmental projects in the area.
Agriculture Minister Dr. Ram Lal Markanda welcomed the Chief Minister to his home constituency and thanked him for evincing keen interest in time bound completion of the ambitious Atal Tunnel. He said that this would open new vistas of tourism activities in this picturesque district besides generating employment and self employment avenues to the youth.
Member of Parliament Ram Swaroop Sharma also spoke on the occasion.
Transport and Forest Minister Govind Singh Thakur, MLA Banjar Surender Shourie, Principal Private Secretary to Chief Minister Dr. R.N. Batta, Deputy Commissioner Lahaul-Spiti Kamal Kant, SP and other officers were present on the occasion.