In an engagement aimed at bolstering road infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh, Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh met with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi. The meeting focused on preparing for the upcoming monsoon season, yielded significant developments for several key road projects across the state.
During their deliberations, Minister Gadkari approved ₹50 crore under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) for the Khamadi-Tikkar road in Shimla district. This allocation underscores the central government’s commitment to enhancing connectivity and ensuring robust road networks in Himachal Pradesh. Expressing gratitude for the sanctioned amount, Vikramaditya Singh emphasized the critical need for an additional ₹150 crore, previously announced by Minister Gadkari, to facilitate the repair of Public Works Department (PWD) roads that link National Highways. Highlighting the imminent monsoon challenges, Singh stressed the urgency of this funding to maintain essential roadways effectively.
Furthermore, Singh pressed for the prompt approval and release of ₹30 crore for the maintenance of the Kamand-Kataula and Chail Chowk-Pandoh roads. These roads serve as crucial alternate routes, particularly during times when National Highways are impacted, easing traffic congestion towards destinations like Kullu and Manali. In addition to specific project approvals, discussions also covered broader infrastructure strategies, including uniform upgrades of national highways and inclusion of vital state projects in the upcoming Annual Plan 2024-25. Singh highlighted the omission of significant projects from the Draft Annual Plan, emphasizing their importance for Himachal Pradesh’s development agenda.
The meeting concluded with Minister Gadkari assuredly pledging full support to the state’s infrastructure initiatives. Engineer-in-chief NP Singh, chief engineer Suresh Kapoor, and senior special private secretary to PWD minister Rajesh Bhardwaj were present, underscoring the collaborative efforts towards advancing Himachal Pradesh’s road infrastructure goals.
