Yog Raj Sharma
The North News
Shimla, March 11
Vikramaditya Singh, Public Works Department Minister of Himachal Pradesh, has met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in New Delhi to seek stronger central support for key road, bridge and tunnel projects in the state.
The meeting at the Parliament House was also attended by Rajni Patil, a Rajya Sabha MP and Congress in-charge for Himachal Pradesh.
During the discussion, Singh highlighted the geographical challenges faced by the hill state, including frequent landslides and natural disasters, and emphasised the need for a long-term and sustainable road network. He said improved infrastructure was essential for residents, farmers, horticulturists, tourists and defence forces.
A major focus of the meeting was the proposed Ghatasni–Shilha–Badhani–Bhubu Jot–Kullu road and a tunnel project at Bhubu Jot. Singh urged the Union government to prioritise the tunnel and declare the entire stretch a national highway, citing its strategic and economic importance.
According to the minister, the project could provide an all-weather alternative route linking the Jogindernagar region with Kullu through the Lug Valley, reducing travel time between Pathankot, Jogindernagar, Mandi and Kullu.
Singh also raised proposals for a double-lane bridge over the Beas river between Basantipattan and Kheri to improve connectivity between Kangra and Hamirpur districts. Another proposal discussed was a motorable steel truss bridge near Pandoh in Mandi district, aimed at improving local connectivity and providing alternative routes during highway blockades.
The minister thanked the Centre for projects already approved under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund and other schemes, while seeking faster clearance for additional proposals related to road widening, slope protection, tunnels and bypasses.
Gadkari assured that the issues raised by the Himachal Pradesh government would be examined sympathetically and reiterated the Centre’s commitment to improving infrastructure in hill and border states.
Singh said the state government, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, would continue to work with the Union government to expand all-weather connectivity and support economic development in remote areas.
