Better roads are state’s roadmap for growth

Parvesh Sharma & Satish Seth

Tribune News Service

Kaithal, January 27

Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar on Republic Day unveiled his plans for the state’s development. “The government wants to strengthen road connectivity along with improving other basic amenities,” he said after unfurling the national flag here on Monday.

“Roads connecting district headquarters will either be turned into four lanes or their width increased by 10 metre. I have directed the authorities concerned to carry out a survey of the proposed 200-km Bawana-Sonepat-Panipat-Uchana-Indri-Yamunanagar Expressway along the Western Yamuna Canal,” Khattar said.

Besides, work on four laning of Yamunanagar-Panchkula NH-73 would be started soon, as tenders had been invited, the Chief Minister said, adding that six toll barriers had been closed. “The government has prepared an extension plan of Metro link from Faridabad to Ballabhgarh and Faridabad to Gurgaon.”

On water availability, Khattar said about 30 per cent of rural households in the state had water connections and the government had decided to increase this to at least 50 per cent by 2017. “We want to ensure water supply of 135 litres per capita per day in all 77 towns in the state in five years against the present figure of 41 towns,” the Chief Minister said.

He further said favourable atmosphere for the growth of business was being created and the goal was to get rid of “inspector raj”. “The government is preparing to launch ‘Make in Haryana’ on the lines of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of ‘Make in India’. Under this, a new industrial policy is being framed in consultation with stakeholders,” the CM said.

“We are taking steps to promote tourism in the state. Under this, the government plans to develop ancient cultural heritages, historical and famous religious places as tourism destinations,” Khattar said.

He called upon people, NGOs and social organisations to make the “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme a success.

Catching the buzz in districts

Speaker honours 35 freedom fighters
Amabla: Haryana Assembly Speaker Kanwar Pal Gujjar hoisted the Tricolour at the Police Lines stadium on Republic Day here. He paid tributes to freedom fighters and those who had laid down their lives for national integrity. “The BJP governments both at the Centre and in the state are committed to people’s welfare,” he said. Gujjar honoured 35 freedom fighters, 26 war widows and 20 professionals who had done well in their respective fields.

Students present cultural programme
Kaithal: It was the first in Kalayat after the town was upgraded from tehsil to sub-division. SDM Ashwani Maingi unfurled the Tricolour. He honoured three war widows and officials for rendering outstanding services in their respective fields. The SDM paid tribute to martyrs of freedom struggle. Schoolchildren presented a cultural programme.

South Korean students display martial art skills
Sonepat: Students of BPS Mahila Vishwavidyalaya, Khanpur Kalan, celebrated Republic Day with visiting South Korean students who presented their martial art skills. They put on a cultural programme. Students and employees took an oath of “Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao” programme. DC Rajiv Ratan honoured freedom fighter Kundan Singh, 15 widows of freedom fighters, 10 war widows and 25 persons for contributing to their respective fields. Besides, seven villages were awarded for water conservation and 31 schools for cleanliness.

Need to respect freedom fighters, says Jind DC
Jind: DC Ajit Balaji Joshi unfurled the national flag at Police Lines ground here. “Citizens should respect martyrs, Armymen and freedom fighters. There’s need to introspect on how much we are following the Constitution,” the DC said.