New Delhi, Jan 3 (IANS): Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur on Thursday called on Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari here and sought to declare 53 state roads approved in principle as national highways.

He sought sanction for five remaining national highways approved, besides notifying the Sarkaghat-Ghumarwin and Ranital-Kotla roads as new national highways.

He wanted the development and maintenance of the Theog-Hatkoti highway to be handed over to the state Public Works Department.

The Chief Minister also apprised the Union Minister about the slow progress of the Kalka-Solan national highway four-lane project, causing traffic congestion, an official statement said.

He said there is no progress on Mataur-Shimla and Pathankot-Mandi national highways.

The Chief Minister was apprised that work on the Pathankot-Mandi highway would be started at the earliest and Rs 27 crore have been provided.

It was also apprised that efforts would be made to start maintenance work on the Kiratpur Sahib-Nerchowk highway soon and projects under the central road fund sent by the government would be sanctioned soon.