Shimla, March 4 (IANS) A World Bank funded road building project undertaken by a Chinese firm in Himachal Pradesh would be completed by 2013, a minister said here Thursday.

The completion of the Theog-Kotkhai-Hatkoti-Rohru road in Shimla district is crucial for the smooth transportation of apples from the fields to the market. At present, the road is in a bad shape.

'We will try to get the work on the 80-km long Theog-Kotkhai-Hatkoti-Rohru road project being executed by Chinese firm Longjian Road and Bridge Company Ltd completed by 2013. Earlier, it was planned to be completed by 2012,' Public Works Minister Gulab Singh Thakur informed the state assembly.

He said work on the project had come to a standstill after Chinese nationals were forced to return to their country when the Indian government's new visa policy came into effect Sept 30, 2009, under which the foreigners were not allowed to work in the country on business visas.

'Now, the Indian government has granted visas to 15 employees of the company. The company has restarted the road construction work,' Thakur said during question hour.

He said construction work on the Mehatpur-Una-Amb also has restarted. 'of the 80 personnel deployed on both the projects, 15 are back on work after their visas were cleared. Efforts are being made for early completion of work.'

The Rs.354 crore contract for two roads was awarded May 27, 2008, through global bidding to the Chinese company.