Himachal Government Pushing Development with Focus on Roads, Urban Infrastructure: Vikramaditya Singh.
Shimla:
Himachal Pradesh Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Tuesday said that the state government was continuously working to accelerate development across the state with a special focus on strengthening roads, infrastructure and urban facilities.
Addressing a press conference here, the minister said the government was adopting a positive approach and introducing innovative initiatives to enhance development under the Public Works and Urban Development departments. He added that improving road connectivity in remote, hilly and tribal areas remains one of the key priorities of the government.
Vikramaditya Singh said he recently met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari and Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar to raise various issues concerning Himachal Pradesh. He said the proposals submitted by the state government received a positive response from the Centre.
The minister informed that development works related to the Public Works and Urban Development departments have gained fresh momentum, with proposals worth around Rs. 600 crore submitted to the central government. Under the Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment to States 2025–26, projects worth Rs. 366 crore have already been approved by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, with the Urban Development Department acting as the nodal agency.
He termed this approval a significant achievement, stating that it will help boost urban infrastructure and provide improved civic facilities to people across the state.
Highlighting key projects, the minister said Rs. 140 crore has been sanctioned for the redevelopment of the vegetable market in Shimla. The project will include modern infrastructure such as a shopping complex, multi-level parking facility, municipal corporation office, retail outlets, hotel, multiplex, food court and warehouses.
Similarly, Rs. 80 crore has been approved for redeveloping the old HRTC bus stand in Hamirpur into a modern city centre. The proposed facility will feature a convention centre, parking area, commercial spaces, shopping complex, retail outlets, gaming zone, food court and multiplex.
In addition, a Rs. 20 crore project has been sanctioned under the Neighbourhood Improvement Plan for the municipal corporation of Dharamshala. Singh said these projects will significantly strengthen urban infrastructure while also promoting economic activity in the state.
Speaking about rural connectivity, the minister said that under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, around 1,500 kilometres of roads will be constructed in Himachal Pradesh at a cost of Rs. 2,300 crore. He added that the tender process has already been completed and work is scheduled to begin from April 15.
Singh appealed to the people of the state to cooperate in providing land for road construction, stating that land availability remains the biggest challenge in implementing development projects. He emphasized that there is no shortage of funds, but timely availability of land is crucial for the smooth execution of projects.
The minister also assured that strict quality standards will be maintained in all construction work. Contractors found compromising on quality will face stringent action, including blacklisting, he said.
He reiterated that the state government remains committed to ensuring that development works are carried out with transparency, quality and timeliness to benefit people across Himachal Pradesh.
