Shimla, July 29 (IANS) Himachal Pradesh has sought a special central government package for strengthening its road network for the smooth transportation of apples outside the state, an official statement said here Friday.
Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal has urged the Planning Commission to sanction Rs.121 crore for connecting the upcoming modern agriculture and horticulture marketing yard at Parala in Shimla with terminal markets outside the state, including Delhi’s Azadpur market, said the statement.
In a massive to Planning Commission Vice Chairman Montek Singh Ahluwalia, Dhumal said the Parala marketing yard was the first in the state and is being developed in the state’s apple hub.
The issue of a special grant was also raised by the state during the plan meeting held in Delhi March 1.
Dhumal said the proposed Parala-Rajgarh-Kala Amb-Shahbad-Delhi road would not only connect the Parala market with Delhi but also cater to the transportation requirements of other cash crops grown in Shimla, Kinnaur, Solan and Sirmaur districts.
It would be constructed within three years at a cost of Rs.100 crore. The yard would also have cold storage facility.
Apple is the main fruit crop of the state and is grown in nine out of the 12 districts.
