Shimla: Himachal Pradesh deputy chief minister Mukesh Agnihotri, after meeting Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi on Thursday, said the speed limit on the Kiratpur-Bilaspur-Mandi route would be raised from 60 kmph to 80 kmph.Agnihotri said the move addressed a public demand arising from the large number of overspeeding challans issued on the stretch.He also raised the demand to extend the permissible age of tourist vehicles operated by contract carriage operators from 12 to 15 years, on the lines of vehicles covered under the All India Tourist Permit scheme. Gadkari directed that the required notification be issued, Agnihotri said, adding that it would benefit taxi operators and the tourism sector.Agnihotri also highlighted inadequate automated testing station (ATS) infrastructure in the hill state, with only two centres operational. He sought continuation of manual fitness testing until adequate ATS coverage was available. Gadkari assured sympathetic consideration and sought details of ATS facilities under construction.On Agnihotri’s request, instructions were also issued regarding the proposed inclusion of the Pandoga-Jhalera-Una stretch, connecting the Amritsar-Hoshiarpur National Highway with the national highway network.
