Significant Financial Support for Road Restoration
Rs 137.40 crore allocated for the severely damaged Mandi-Gaggal-Chail Chowk-Janjehli road.
Saurabh Kumar
Shimla: Himachal Pradesh has received crucial financial backing from the Central Road Fund (CRF) aimed at restoring road connectivity in areas affected by recent floods, cloudbursts, and landslides.
As reported by the Public Works Department, the state has been granted a total of 191 CRF projects amounting to Rs 2,442.18 crore. Out of these, 154 projects have been completed, six have been de-sanctioned, and 32 are currently in progress.
By the end of March 2025, the state had received Rs 1,336.60 crore from the CRF, with total expenditures reaching Rs 1,511.29 crore, indicating a swift effort to repair damaged roads in districts such as Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Chamba, and Kangra.
Key CRF Allocations for Restoration Efforts
Among the sanctioned funds, Rs 137.40 crore is designated for the Mandi-Gaggal-Chail Chowk-Janjehli road, which suffered extensive damage during the monsoon season. Additionally, Rs 48.69 crore is allocated for the Jejon Mod-Tahliwal road in Una district, and Rs 38.50 crore is set aside for constructing a 110-meter double-span bridge over the Beas River in Kullu district, replacing a structure lost last year.
Officials from the PWD noted that these approvals will facilitate the rapid reconstruction of vital routes, ensuring that communities affected by disrupted connectivity receive the necessary relief.
Additional Central Assistance via NDRF
In addition to CRF support, the Center has recently approved a substantial disaster-recovery package of Rs 2,006.40 crore for Himachal under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). This package includes Rs 1,504.80 crore in direct central assistance.
This funding is specifically targeted at repairing infrastructure damaged during the catastrophic 2023 monsoon, which resulted in numerous landslides, road failures, and the destruction of bridges across hilly regions.
Political Leaders Applaud Funding Increase
State PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh and former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur hailed the CRF approval as a significant relief for communities affected by disasters, expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for prioritizing the state’s needs.
The state government has instructed departments to expedite the tendering process, incorporate climate-resilient designs for roads, and implement slope-stabilization measures to prevent future collapses.
Given that roads are essential for mobility in this hilly state, the funding from CRF and NDRF represents a vital step towards restoring normalcy. Officials believe that these combined resources will not only help rebuild damaged roads but also strengthen the state’s infrastructure against future extreme weather events.
