PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh Calls on Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Seeks Support for Road and Bridge Projects in Himachal Pradesh.
New Delhi :
The Public Works Department (PWD) Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Vikramaditya Singh, met Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi today. During the meeting, Vikramaditya Singh expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister for sanctioning Rs 350 crores under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), a move he said would significantly enhance road connectivity and foster economic growth in the state.
The PWD Minister acknowledged the pivotal role of the Union Minister in supporting various infrastructure initiatives in Himachal Pradesh, especially in the development of ropeway projects. Singh thanked Gadkari for assisting the state in obtaining an exemption for ropeway projects from forest clearances under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change. This decision is expected to streamline the implementation of important transport projects in the hilly region.
In addition to expressing thanks, Vikramaditya Singh made several key requests aimed at further improving road infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh. He urged the Union Minister for the construction of an alternate road route from Ghatasni to Kullu, passing through Shilha, Badhani, and Bhubujot, along with a tunnel at Bhubujot. The proposed road would reduce the travel distance by 40 km on National Highway 144 (NH144). Singh emphasized the strategic importance of this road and highlighted its potential to boost tourism in the Kullu district, a major tourist hub in the state.
Another significant request was for the approval of the construction of a Rs 125.57 crore double-lane bridge over the Beas River between Basantipattan and Kheri, connecting the Kangra and Hamirpur districts. The PWD Minister stressed that this bridge should be prioritized under the Bharat Setu Yojna, as it would greatly improve connectivity between the two districts. He also mentioned that Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur had previously raised the matter with Nitin Gadkari.
Additionally, Vikramaditya Singh requested the construction of a Rs 19.09 crore, 110-meter span single-lane steel truss motorable bridge over the Beas River in Pandoh, connecting Pandoh to Shiva on the Pandoh-Shiva road in district Mandi. This bridge would further enhance connectivity in the region, benefiting both locals and tourists.
Responding positively to the requests, Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured Vikramaditya Singh of all possible support from the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways for the development of these crucial infrastructure projects in Himachal Pradesh. The Union Minister reiterated his commitment to enhancing road connectivity in the state, which is expected to spur economic growth and tourism in the region.
The meeting between the two leaders marks a significant step toward improving the state’s infrastructure, with several projects poised to address critical connectivity issues and promote the region’s tourism potential.
