Approval for 340 Roads Worth Rs 3,000 Crore Expected Soon Under PMGSY-IV: PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh.
Projects to cover 1,659 km across Himachal Pradesh; Rs 128 crore worth of bridge projects also likely to get approval.
Shimla:
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Friday said that approval for 340 road projects covering a total length of 1,659 kilometres and costing approximately Rs 3,000 crore is expected soon from the Union Ministry of Rural Development under the second phase of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV).
Addressing a press conference, the minister said that all formalities related to the proposed road projects had been completed. He added that he had recently held a meeting with state officials to review the projects and expedite the approval process.
Singh said the development of Himachal Pradesh remained a priority for the state government, which was taking several steps to accelerate infrastructure development across the state. He said the government was committed to safeguarding the interests of the state and addressing the needs and aspirations of its people, irrespective of political considerations.
Rs 2,300 Crore Already Approved for 290 Roads
The PWD Minister said the Central Government had already approved road projects worth Rs 2,300 crore under PMGSY-IV in Himachal Pradesh. These projects cover 290 roads spanning approximately 1,500 kilometres and are currently at various stages of implementation.
He expressed hope that the proposed allocation of around Rs 3,000 crore for an additional 340 roads would further strengthen the state’s rural road network, particularly in remote and inaccessible areas.
Singh also said that during the tenure of the present state government, approximately Rs 10,000 crore had been received for various development initiatives, including roads, the AMRUT Mission, sanitation, drinking water and other infrastructure-related works.
He said he would continue to raise issues concerning the state’s development with the Central Government and seek the necessary support to accelerate ongoing and proposed projects.
Bridge Projects Worth Rs 128 Crore Await Approval
The minister said bridge construction projects worth approximately Rs 128 crore were also expected to receive approval from the Central Government soon.
He said bridges would be constructed at various locations across Himachal Pradesh to ensure uninterrupted road connectivity, especially in remote, inaccessible and other areas where geographical conditions pose challenges to transportation.
Highlighting the importance of expanding the road network, Singh appealed to residents of areas that remain unconnected by roads to cooperate with the authorities in completing the required formalities. He specifically urged people to execute gift deeds wherever necessary to facilitate road construction.
He said public cooperation would help expedite the completion of these formalities and ensure that previously unconnected areas were linked to the road network at the earliest.
Rs 800 Crore Being Spent on Road Maintenance
The PWD Minister said road maintenance works worth approximately Rs 800 crore were currently underway across the state under the annual maintenance programme.
He also expressed concern over the declining availability of bitumen, an essential material used for road surfacing, attributing the situation to prevailing global circumstances.
Warning that shortages could delay road surfacing works across Himachal Pradesh, Singh said he would soon meet the Union Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas to discuss the issue.
He said he would seek special assistance for Himachal Pradesh, taking into account the state’s distinctive geographical conditions and the challenges involved in maintaining and upgrading its road infrastructure.
Brazil Visit Provides Insights into Infrastructure Development
Reflecting on his recently concluded visit to Brazil, Singh said he had gained valuable insights into the country’s development projects, administrative procedures and work culture.
He said he had studied innovative methods and best practices related to road construction, maintenance and upgradation, as well as urban development.
According to the minister, these experiences could help identify approaches that may be adapted to Himachal Pradesh’s requirements to improve infrastructure planning, construction quality and maintenance practices.
Singh said the state’s development initiatives would continue to focus on improving connectivity, strengthening infrastructure and addressing the needs of people living in remote and difficult-to-access areas.
