Himachal Receives Prestigious Infrastructure Awards; CM Congratulates Team

Shimla, May 8:
Secretary of the Public Works Department and Managing Director of Himachal Pradesh Road and Infrastructure Development Corporation Limited (HPRIDCL), Dr. Abhishek Jain, presented two prestigious trophies to Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday. These awards recognize Himachal Pradesh’s outstanding achievements in infrastructure development and road safety.

HPRIDCL was recently honored with the prestigious 2024 iRAP Gary Liddle Memorial Trophy – Shining Star – at a global event held in Marrakech, Morocco. This award is given to the top-performing road authority in the world for its efforts in eliminating high-risk roads. In addition, Shimla Smart City Limited was recognized under the Urban Mobility Innovation category at the Smart Cities India Awards 2025 for the construction of the Dhalli Tunnel and the adjoining rotary junction, which has significantly improved traffic flow in Shimla.

The Chief Minister congratulated the officers and staff of both organizations for their dedicated efforts and expressed hope that they would continue working with the same commitment to resolve challenges faced by residents of Shimla. He reaffirmed the state government’s support for building smarter, safer, and more sustainable urban and rural infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh.

CM Sukhu emphasized that HPRIDCL’s road safety initiatives reflect a collaborative and data-driven approach to holistic state development. The initiative—implemented in partnership with the World Bank, Himachal Pradesh Police, PWD, local agencies, and community volunteers—has led to tangible results, including a noticeable reduction in road accidents, particularly along major corridors.

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh added that road safety remains a top priority for the state government. He noted that recent statistics show a significant decline in road accidents and fatalities, and that the adoption of international best practices will further strengthen road safety across the state, setting a benchmark for others.

Dr. Abhishek Jain, Managing Director of HPRIDCL, said these accolades from the International Road Assessment Programme (iRAP)—a body recognized by the UN Economic and Social Council—are a major achievement for the organization. He reaffirmed HPRIDCL’s commitment to developing high-quality, safe infrastructure for the state in the years to come.