August 18, 2008: Shri Narender Bragta, Horticulture Minister said that all the National Highways would be opened immediately by clearing blockages caused due to landslides in the apple growing areas. He was addressing a meeting held here today to review the relief and restoration operations being undertaken in the apple growing areas of the state.
Horticulture Minister said that incessant rains in these areas have caused landslides. He said that efforts were afoot on war footing to restore the smooth movement of traffic and added that about 80 JCB machines have been pressed into service for clearing the roads in the Shimla district. He said that he personally visited the areas and took stock of the situation besides directing the district administration to prepare reports of damage caused due to heavy rains. He said that the report would be submitted to the state government soon.
Shri Bragta said that effective steps were being taken to tackle with various kinds of damages caused to the apple crop during rainy season. He said that 277 MT pesticides have been distributed to the horticulturists by the Horticulture Department and added that the last consignment of 33 MT had also been distributed. He said that the scientists of Horticulture and Forestry University and the Horticulture Department would provide horticulturists needed assistance and . He said that Awareness Camps would be held in Mandi, Kullu and Shimla districts to generate awareness about scab and other diseases among the horticulturists. He also directed the officers to visit the horticulturists to take stock of their problems.
He said that about 60 lac apple boxes have been sent to various markets of the country and added that state government was committed to protect the interests of apple growers. He said that apple was being procured through 240 collection centres and every effort was being made to facilitate the apple growers.
Shri Bragta said that a Cell had been set up in his office to monitor the situation and regular information was being collected in order to speed up the relief works. He directed that the officers of PWD and Transport Department to ensure proper maintenance of roads and traffic in the apple growing areas.
Shri Bharat Khera, Managing Director, HPMC, Shri J.S. Rana, Deputy Commissioner, Shimla, Shri Dhruv Vashisht, Director, HIMFED, Dr. Gurdev Singh, Director, Horticulture and senior officers of Horticulture, PWD and Transport departments attended the meeting.