The clearance by Union Ministry of Environment and Forest for diversion of 75 hectare of forest land for non forest purposes has paved the way for four laning of Kiratpur-Manali national highway (NH-21) route, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said today.
The work on Rs 2,300 crore four laning project was held up as forest clearance from Union minister of Environment and Forests under Forest Conservation Act was awaited, he said.
Under the project the NH 21 would be converted into four lane road from Kiratpur to Ner Chowk in Mandi district.
The state government had already initiated the process for land acquisition, Singh said.
