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High-Level Meeting on Resolving Issues Related to NHAI Road Projects in Himachal: Speaker
Shimla, Updated At : 16:06 PM Aug 27, 2025 IST
Senior officials from NHAI, the Public Works Department, the Chief Secretary, and the Director General of Police (DGP) will attend the meeting on Thursday.
A high-level committee meeting, chaired by Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Pathania, will be held on Thursday to address issues arising from road projects being executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) in the state.
The Speaker said the meeting was convened in light of repeated concerns raised by legislators in the Assembly regarding NHAI projects.
“Following the meeting, directions will be issued under the relevant provisions of law. We hope to resolve the issues raised by the legislators and provide relief to the people,” Pathania stated.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh noted that while NHAI is a Government of India undertaking and does not fall under the state government’s direct control, regular updates are sought from the agency. He added that NHAI is currently executing road construction projects covering about 800 km in Himachal Pradesh.
“We are working closely with NHAI, but in sensitive stretches, frequent landslides continue to disrupt connectivity. It is worrying that the Kullu–Mandi journey is now taking up to 12 hours, causing significant hardship to farmers, fruit growers, and floriculturists,” Singh said.
He pointed out that damage to roads and bridges over the past three days has been particularly severe, prompting the deployment of 912 machines—including JCBs, bulldozers, and robotic equipment—to restore vehicular movement.
Highlighting the recurring disruptions along the Pandoh–Kullu stretch, the Minister said that two alternative routes, via Chail Chowk and Katoala, are being widened with NHAI allocating ₹9 crore and ₹11 crore respectively for the works.
“Our priority is not only ensuring tourist safety but also safeguarding the interests of local residents. With determination and joint efforts, we will provide relief and address these challenges, despite the Public Works Department suffering damages worth ₹1,444 crore during this monsoon season,” he added.
During Zero Hour, Naina Devi MLA Randhir Sharma raised the need for proper traffic management and diversions on roads blocked by landslides across the state.
“In the absence of timely information and traffic regulation, hundreds of vehicles are left stranded on blocked stretches. Prior intimation and diversions by the police can help ease congestion and reduce inconvenience to travelers,” Sharma said.
He also demanded that toll tax should not be levied on four-lane highways that have suffered extensive damage.
