Himachal Pradesh PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh chairs Special Task Force meeting on highway projects
(source : ANI) ( Photo Credit : ani)
Himachal Pradesh Minister Pushes for Faster Highway Projects Amid Monsoon Devastation
In Shimla, Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh led the first meeting of a new Special Task Force Committee on Tuesday. The group aims to tackle key hurdles in national highway projects run by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH). This move comes at a critical time as the state battles heavy monsoon damage to its roads and infrastructure.
The meeting focused on urgent issues like land acquisition, tree cutting, forest clearances, and environmental steps such as dredging the Beas River. Officials also discussed shifting utilities and finding dumping sites to keep projects on track. Singh stressed that strong road connectivity boosts tourism, trade, and the overall economy in Himachal Pradesh. "I’ve told all departments to team up closely with NHAI and MoRTH to sort out delays quickly," he said. "These national projects need to finish on time."
Singh praised NHAI and MoRTH teams for their quick work on repairing highways wrecked by this year’s heavy rains. He assured full state government support for smooth project rollout and urged officers to address local people’s real concerns. Attendees included top officials like Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Nazeem (Transport, Industries, and Public Works), Secretary Rakhil Kahlon, Engineer-in-Chief of Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department, Chief Engineer (NH), MoRTH Regional Officer A.K. Kushwaha, and NHAI Regional Officer Col. Ajay Bargoti.
This push for better infrastructure highlights Himachal Pradesh’s tough monsoon season. The State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA) reported 417 deaths so far—236 from rain disasters like landslides, flash floods, and drowning, plus 181 from road accidents. Since monsoon hit on June 20, 477 people suffered injuries, 45 went missing, over 2,400 animals died, and nearly 27,000 poultry birds perished.
The rains destroyed 1,668 homes completely, damaged 29,362 partially, and wiped out 584 shops or factories. More than 2,000 cowsheds and labor huts collapsed, leaving many families without shelter. Total losses top Rs 4,582 crore, with the Public Works Department hit hardest at over Rs 2,800 crore. Jal Shakti Vibhag reported Rs 1,405 crore in damage, and the power sector lost Rs 139 crore. Schools, health centers, fisheries, and rural projects also took a big hit.
Mandi district saw the most tragedy with 66 deaths, followed by Kangra (57), Chamba (50), Shimla (47), Kullu (44), and Una (27). Landslides killed 52, flash floods 11, cloudbursts 17, and drowning 40, alongside other incidents like electrocution and snake bites.
As Himachal Pradesh rebuilds, efforts like this task force show the state’s commitment to stronger roads and recovery from the 2023 monsoon fury.
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