Centre Approves Rs. 3,667 Crore Annual Road Infrastructure Plan for Himachal Pradesh: Vikramaditya Singh. 

Tunnel under Jalori Jot gets Rs  1,452 crore; Rs. 135 crore sanctioned for bridge at Brauni Nala; Bhubu Jot tunnel proposal raised with Defence Minister. 

Shimla:

Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways has approved Himachal Pradesh’s Rs. 3,667 crore annual plan for the financial year 2024–25, aimed at developing and upgrading road infrastructure, including construction of bridges, road widening, and installation of crash barriers across the state. This was announced by Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh.

Speaking on the development, Singh stated that the plan covers projects across all districts of the state and focuses on the improvement of National Highways under the jurisdiction of the central government. The proposal had been submitted earlier this year, and its clearance in June marks a significant boost to the state’s infrastructure development goals.

Singh mentioned that during a recent visit to Delhi, he met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, to discuss key infrastructure concerns of the state. He informed that Himachal has nearly 1,200 kilometers of roads under the National Highway network, for which regular maintenance and upgrades are essential.

“In the last financial year (2023–24), we had submitted a plan worth Rs. 2,600 crore, but only Rs. 269 crore was sanctioned, which was insufficient. For 2024–25, the central government has now approved the full proposal of Rs. 3,667 crore, which will significantly help in accelerating road works,” Singh said.

         Major Sanctions:

• Jalori Jot Tunnel:

  • One of the most critical approvals under this plan is for the construction of a tunnel beneath Jalori Jot on NH-305 in Kullu district. The Centre has given in-principle approval and sanctioned Rs. 1,452 crore for the project. According to Singh, the tunnel will not only reduce travel time but also boost tourism and provide year-round connectivity to thousands of residents in the region.

• Bridge at Brauni Nala:
  Due to frequent landslides at Brauni Nala on National Highway 5, road connectivity has been adversely affected. To address this, the Centre has sanctioned Rs. 135 crore for a bridge to be constructed at the site.

• Kala Amb–Paonta Sahib–Dehradun Four-Lane Project:
  The government has also sanctioned Rs. 1,385 crore for pre-construction activities, including land acquisition for the four-laning of the Kala Amb–Paonta Sahib–Dehradun road. This will greatly improve interstate connectivity between Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.

Strategic Proposal for Bhubu Jot Tunnel:

Singh also revealed that he met Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh to discuss the strategic Bhubu Jot tunnel project, which will connect Mandi and Kullu districts. He requested that the proposed road and tunnel be declared a “strategic defence route” to fast-track its development.

If approved and constructed, the Bhubu Jot tunnel would significantly reduce the distance between Pathankot and Kullu by nearly 40 to 50 kilometers. This would not only benefit local residents and tourists but also serve the operational needs of the Indian Army by providing quicker access to forward areas.

Vikramaditya Singh expressed gratitude to Union Minister Nitin Gadkari and the central government for their support. He emphasized that continued coordination between the state and central governments is essential for ensuring holistic and balanced development across Himachal Pradesh.