We need to preserve our 'Dev sanskriti', says CM

Chief minister Virbhadra Singh, while addressing a public meeting at Khantu Devta temple premises in Chirgaon, Shimla, on Wednesday, said, "We need to preserve our 'Dev Sanskriti', which is the identity of our existence and culture."

He said the Khantu devta temple would be maintained as per ancient architecture. Speaking about Channelisation of Pabbar river, he said that it was being channelised from Tikri till Hatkoti with an outlay of `200 crore, besides channelising Swan river in Una along with its 73 tributaries.

The CM said that a double lane bridge would be constructed at Samoli to connect Rohru by-pass in near future which would be further extended till Mendhali, where a double-lane bridge already stands constructed. He added, "The vegetable market at Mendhali will be completed this year whereas the work on Rohru bus stand will also be completed soon. The road from Rohru to Chirgaon was being widened and the same will be done so till Tikri."

The chief minister said that from Tikri onwards, the road till Dodra Kwar would be repaired and metalled. Earlier, the chief minister laid foundation stone of Government High School building, Ranole, which will cost `1.5 crore. He also laid foundation stone of forest rest house to be completed at a cost of `20 lakh and inaugurated road from Koila (Ranole) to Shagru that has been completed at `35 lakh.

He also inaugurated the newly-constructed sacred sanctum of Khantu Devta in the temple complex and paid obeisance to the local deity. He also flagged off a bus service from Ranole to Koyla. "Himachal is a home for people of all religions and the Congress party believes in secularism and respects all religions alike," he added.