Himachal Pradesh to Receive Rs. 140.90 Crore for PMGSY-III Bridge Projects, Enhancing Rural Connectivity.
Approval Granted for 21 Bridges Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III) in the State.
Shimla:
The Ministry of Rural Development has granted clearance for bridge projects under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-III) for Himachal Pradesh, worth a total of Rs. 140.90 crore. The announcement was made today by the state’s Public Works Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, who said the clearance was granted after the Empowered Committee’s recommendations and the State government’s compliance report were thoroughly reviewed.
The approved projects will result in the construction of 21 bridges, spanning a total length of 970.772 meters, across several districts in Himachal Pradesh. Of the total project cost, Rs. 126.81 crore will be provided by the Ministry of Rural Development, with the remaining Rs. 14.09 crore being contributed by the State government.
These bridge projects are expected to greatly improve rural road connectivity, particularly in some of the most remote areas of the state. The targeted districts for the upgrades include Hamirpur, Kangra, Kullu, Lahaul-Spiti, and Mandi.
Key Projects in Various Districts
Hamirpur District: The proposed upgrades include the construction of bridges over Chainth Khad, Seer Khad, Lindi Khad on the Bassi-Sarkaghat road, and over Bakkar Khad, Jamli Khad, and Ghudwin Khad. Additionally, several other key bridges will be upgraded, including those over Lal Ghar Nallah, Manjhi Khad, Dehi Khad, Dhaliara Khad, Maned Khad, and Kahuli Khad.
Kangra District: One of the major projects includes a 40-meter PSC Box Girder bridge over Moul Khad, which will enhance connectivity in the region.
Kullu District: This district will benefit from the upgradation of two steel truss bridges over Sanj Khad, boosting the area’s accessibility.
Lahaul-Spiti District: Several bridges will be improved, including those over Chowkhang Nallah, the Chenab River, Kishori Nala, Tailing Nallah, and Mooring Nala.
Mandi District: The Mandi district will see the construction of a 110-meter double-lane motorable bridge over the Beas River at Pandoh, significantly improving transport and accessibility.
Commitment to High-Quality Standards
Minister Vikramaditya Singh expressed his gratitude to the Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, for approving the crucial projects. He emphasized that these projects would offer all-weather connectivity to remote rural areas, fostering better access to education, healthcare, and markets for rural communities.
The Minister further assured that the projects would meet the highest quality standards. He said the State government would ensure comprehensive verification of hydraulic data, catchment area calculations, geo-technical investigations, and structural designs before tendering. To oversee the execution of the projects, the government will establish a dedicated Bridge Management Cell comprising expert professionals.
In addition, independent inspectors will be deployed to conduct rigorous quality checks, including pile integrity tests and acceptance load tests in compliance with Indian Road Congress (IRC) norms, ensuring the structural integrity and safety of the bridges.
Accelerating Infrastructure Development
Vikramaditya Singh reiterated the State government’s commitment to accelerating infrastructure development in Himachal Pradesh. He assured that the execution of these bridge projects would be carried out in a timely and efficient manner, contributing significantly to the development of rural infrastructure and improving the standard of living for rural communities across the state.
These bridge upgrades are part of the broader effort to enhance connectivity in the region under the PMGSY-III scheme, which aims to provide better road access to remote villages and strengthen the rural road network across India. With this clearance, the state will see major improvements in connectivity, which will open new avenues for economic and social growth in rural Himachal Pradesh.
