New Delhi: Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri on Monday met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, urging him to extend the validity of all-India taxi permits from the current 12 years to 15 years. He emphasized that the request aligns with both the vehicle scrapping policy and the demands of taxi operators.
During the meeting, Agnihotri expressed gratitude to Gadkari for his continued support to the hill state and highlighted the crucial role of road and bridge infrastructure in the development of hilly regions like Himachal Pradesh.
According to a state government statement, Gadkari responded positively and assured that the matter would be considered sympathetically, instructing relevant authorities to process the case accordingly.
Other Demands Raised by Agnihotri:
- Release of pending ₹7.63 crore under the special assistance scheme to states.
- Declaration of the Nangal–Jaijon road as a National Highway, which would support the proposed bulk drug park in the area.
- Extension of NH-503A (Amritsar–Hoshiarpur) from Bankhandi to Jhaleda, connecting the Anandpur Sahib and Chintpurni shrines, boosting pilgrimage and tourism.
- Improved connectivity between Chandigarh and the Baddi industrial area, a long-standing demand now under active central consideration.
- Approval of upgradation of the Jaijon Modh–Tahliwal Chowk road, including three bridges, with central funding of ₹48.69 crore.
Separately, Himachal PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh also met Gadkari to push for:
- Declaration of the Ghatasni–Shilha–Badhani–Bhubujot–Kullu road, including the Bhubujot Tunnel, as a national highway due to its strategic and defence importance.
- Four-laning of NH-5 from Dhalli to Rampur on priority.
- Inclusion of five national highways in the PM Gati Shakti scheme.
- Speedy release of ₹130 crore under the Central Road Fund and raising the annual CRF works cap to ₹250 crore.
Gadkari gave an in-principle approval for the Dhalli–Rampur four-laning project and assured all possible assistance to the state.