CM Sukhu Meets Union Minister Nitin Gadkari, Seeks Urgent Support for Damaged Road Repairs and NH Projects.
New Delhi:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, in New Delhi today to seek urgent assistance for the repair and reconstruction of roads severely damaged due to recent flash floods in the state. The Chief Minister emphasized the need for immediate central support to restore vital road connectivity in the hill state.
During the meeting, CM Sukhu apprised the Union Minister of the extensive damage caused to infrastructure and requested that some key road stretches be included under the PM Gati Shakti Yojana, a flagship initiative aimed at integrated and faster infrastructure development.
Highlighting long-standing delays in National Highway (NH) projects in Himachal Pradesh, the Chief Minister called for swift action to resolve the issues hindering progress. He urged the Ministry to expedite approvals and ensure the commencement of construction work at the earliest.
CM Sukhu also advocated for the adoption of tunneling technology in National Highway construction, especially in hilly and geologically sensitive areas, to improve connectivity while ensuring environmental sustainability. He further brought up strategically important roads that had previously been flagged with the Defence Ministry and pressed for fast-tracking work on these critical routes.
In a move to decongest urban and tourist-heavy regions, the Chief Minister also requested the sanctioning of additional ropeway projects in the state, which he said would provide efficient and eco-friendly transport options.
Union Minister Nitin Gadkari assured the Chief Minister of all possible assistance and issued necessary directions to the concerned officials to follow up on the matters discussed.
The meeting was also attended by MLA Sunder Singh Thakur, Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, Secretary PWD Abhishek Jain, Principal Resident Commissioner Sushil Kumar Singla, along with senior officers from the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
