Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh called on Union Minister Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari at New Delhi today.

He urged the Union Minister to declare Ghatasni-Shilha-Badhani-Bhubujot- Kullu road including Bhubujot tunnel as National highway keeping in view its strategic importance. He added that this route would provide stable connectivity for movement of defence logistics and shorten the route by 55 km.

The PWD Minister also requested for taking up the construction of four laning of NH-05 from Dhalli to Rampur on priority and speedy completion of ongoing construction workings on existing highways. He also informed that request to include five national highways in Prime Minister Gati Shakti has been submitted by the state government and urged for approval of the same.

He also urged for speedy release of funds worth Rs 130 crore under CRTF and enhancing the annual limit of CRTF works to Rs 250 crore in Himachal Pradesh.

Nitin Gadkari assured of all possible assistance to the state. He also approved in principle for four-laning process of Dhalli-Rampur road.

Secretary, PWD Abhishek Jain, Engineer-in-Chief (P) PWD Surendra Pal Jagota accompanied the Minister.

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Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri met Union Minister of  Road Transport & Highways Nitin Gadkari at his residence in New Delhi today and thanked him for extending a generous hand towards Himachal Pradesh.

He stated that in view of its diverse topographical conditions, the development of hilly states like Himachal Pradesh solely depends upon expanding the road and bridge infrastructure.

While raising certain prominent issues pertaining to transport department, he informed the Union Minister that the state government has requested the Union Ministry of Road Transport & Highway regarding increasing the validity of All India taxi permits from existing 12 years to 15 years, keeping in view the demand of the operators and All India taxi permit should also be granted for 15 years, keeping in view the vehicle scraping policy period of 15 years.

Sh. Gadkari assured that he would look into the matter sympathetically and also directed the authorities concerned to process the case accordingly.

Sh. Agnihotri also urged the Union Minister to release the remaining funds to the tune of Rs.7.63 crores under the scheme for special assistance to the State for capital investment (incentives for scrapping of old vehicles).

He also demanded to declare Nangal to Jaijon road as National highway as it would also cater to the proposed bulk drug park. Shri Agnihotri stated that a DPR to the tune of Rs.429 crores has already been prepared and it would be submitted to Government of India under Gati Shakti scheme.

He also urged that the proposed four-laning of  NH 503 A  from Amritsar to Hoshiarpur may be extended from Bankhandi (HP boundary) to Jhaleda. This is a stretch of approximately 15 kms and would connect Shree Anandpur Sahib and Mata Chintpurni, which would also benefit the pilgrim visiting these two shrines. Sh. Agnihotri also raised the issue of connectivity between Chandigarh to Baddi industrial area. Sh. Gadkri stated that this issue is in active consideration of Government of India.

The Deputy Chief Minister also raised the issue for approval for up-gradation of link road Jaijon Modh to Tahliwal Chowk via Bhai-Ka-Modh and three bridges for which Rs. 48.69 crore be provided under CR|IF. The Union Minister assured that he would approve it on priority. The Union Minister directed that DPR under the Gati Shakti scheme may be prepared and submitted to the Ministry accordingly.

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        Would earn revenue of Rs. 1000 crore on completion

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today visited the site of Shongtong-Karcham hydroelectric project in Kinnaur district to inspect the ongoing developmental works and inspected  He inspected the power house site at Karcham and visited the barrage site Powari, of this project. He also interacted with the engineers and workers of this project.

The Chief Minister directed to complete this 450 MW capacity hydroelectric project in a time bound manner by November, 2026. He said that after the commissioning of this project, the state would earn annual revenue of about Rs. 1000 crore. He said that this project was under construction for the last 13 years, but the present state government accelerated its construction it would be dedicated to the Nation in stipulated time period. He added that the present government was taking concrete steps to ensure proper exploitation of its river water, to strengthen the economy of the state.

Sh. Sukhu said that the state government was working to take over the Dhaulasidh, Luhri and Sunni hydro power projects and the total amount spent on these projects so far was being evaluated. Henceforth, the state government would take forward the construction work of hydropower projects on its own terms so that the interests of the state could be protected, which were completely sidelined by the previous BJP government. 

The Chief Minister said that the state government was also moving ahead towards setting up a geo-thermal power project at Tapri in Kinnaur district and making advancement in the field of electricity by producing solar and green hydrogen energy. He said that despite being a surplus energy state, we were purchasing electricity in winters i.e. from October to March at Rs 5 to Rs. 6 per unit as per neighbouring states. The solar energy production was being promoted as much as possible during this time period so that the government did not require to buy electricity.

He said that solar projects of about 626 MW capacity were at various stages of construction through HPPCL.

General Manager, H.P Power Corporation Abid Hussain Sadiq detailed about the various undergoing construction works in the Shongtog-Karcham project.

Revenue, Horticulture and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi, along-with senior officers of the district administration were present on this occasion.

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Participates as Chief Guest in the closing ceremony of the Piplu Fair

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today participated as the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony of the three-day Piplu Fair held at Bangana. Prior to the event, the Chief Minister interacted with the public and listened to their grievances at the local rest house. He also joined the traditional Shobha Yatra before addressing the gathering at Bhalethi.

In his address, the Chief Minister highlighted the cultural and social importance of traditional fairs, stating that they serve as vibrant expressions of local heritage and community bonding. While extending greetings to the people of Bangana, Chief Minister expressed hope that such events would continue to enrich and preserve the region’s cultural fabric and congratulated the organizers.

Sh. Sukhu emphasized the government’s commitment to promoting natural farming and encouraged local farmers to adopt this eco-friendly practice to strengthen their economic well-being. He appealed to the farming community of Bangana to actively support the initiative and contribute to establishing Himachal Pradesh as a leading state in natural farming.

The Chief Minister also lauded local MLA Vivek Sharma for his dedicated efforts toward the region’s holistic development and expressed confidence in his continued commitment to the progress of the constituency.

Earlier, Chief Minister Sukhu inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of multiple developmental projects in the Bangana sub-division, collectively amounting to Rs.119.51 crore.

Among the key inaugurations were the Rs. 2.12 crore Executive Engineer Divisional Office Building at Thanakalan, Rs. 61.51 lakh Water Quality & Monitoring Training Centre at Barnoh, Rs. 2.44 crore building for Government Senior Secondary School in Jathehri, Rs. 1.45 crore Primary Health Centre at Chamyari, Rs. 93.69 lakh for four classrooms at Government Senior Secondary School in Mandli, Rs. 10.31 crore for metalling and tarring of the Olinda–Bohru link road, Rs.12.22 crore for roads from Saili to Handola via Kamoon Patti and from Saili Mahadev Temple via GPS Lubowal, and Rs. 10.73 crore for the Rural Livelihood Centre building in Bangana.

Additionally, he laid the foundation stone for Rs. 2.35 crore worth of upgrades to lift drinking water schemes in Jhambar, Kuriala, Surjehra, Madanpur-Basoli, Panoh-Ghandawal, and Dhamandri-Sanjhot. Besides he laid foundation stone of  Rs. 10.59 crore irrigation scheme for Boul and Moh Khas in Gram Panchayat Moh Minar, Rs. 1.83 crore for tubewells in Takka and Lower Basal; Rs. 7.20 crore for rainwater harvesting structures in Jassana Khad, Bangana Khad, Thanakalan, and Chhaproh Khad; Rs. 6.72 crore for a residential complex for the State Taxes and Excise Enforcement Office at Una, Rs. 5.98 crore for road projects from Khuruni to Khairian via Chaplah, Garli Dehar, Makri, and Chamboa; Rs. 10.44 crore under NABARD for bridge construction in Boul, Jhambar, Lam, Takka, and Mohalla Batiyan Harijan; and Rs. 33.59 crore for road construction from Bhiyambi to Barsar.

The occasion was also graced by Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, MLA from Kutlehar Vivek Sharma, Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan, Member SC Commission Dr. Vijay Dogra, Block Congress President Ram Asra and others dignitaries from the party and district administration.

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                               Lashes BJP for pushing the state into financial distress

                             Government committed to improve the economy of the State

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu while addressing public meeting at Daulatpur chowk in Una district today took a jibe at Bhartiya Janata Party, stating that during five years of its regime the BJP kept on boasting about the 'double engine Sarkar’, but could not significantly contribute for development of the state and raised loans from the Centre, thus pushing the state in financial crisis.

He said that to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant, the government was determined to take some harsh decisions to improve the economy with co-operation of the people of the State.

The Chief Minister announced for additional funds for the remaining work on the Daulatpur-Bhadrakali road, for which Rs. 15 crore has already been spent. He also declared that the necessary funds will be released to complete the remaining construction work of the new building of Gagret Hospital.

The Chief Minister informed the public that the survey work for the Hoshiarpur-Nadaun four-lane road project has been completed and the construction work will commence shortly. He further assured that the Shivbari Fair will be granted district-level status. In addition, the vacant posts of doctors at Daulatpur Chowk and Gagret Primary Health Centres will be filled soon to improve healthcare services in the region. The Chief Minister also announced the installation of tube wells in water-scarce areas of the Gagret Assembly Constituency to address the issue of drinking water shortage.

He also mentioned that there were some concerns regarding the establishment of a Bulk Drug Park in Haroli. However, the construction of the park is now set to begin soon.

Criticizing the previous government’s education policies, the Chief Minister said that Himachal Pradesh, once ranked among the top states in quality education, has dropped down to 21^st position due to flawed policies of the previous BJP government. Consequently, students have shown a declining interest in enrolling in government schools. Many schools now witness a lower student-to-teacher ratio from classes 5th  to 12th. The present government has decided to merge such schools to ensure qualitative education and a better future for students.

With pride, the Chief Minister said that for the first time since Independence, both the Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister are from the Hamirpur Parliamentary Constituency and regularly discuss strengthening drinking water, irrigation, and basic infrastructure projects to accelerate on-ground implementation.

Una district has become the first solar-powered district in the state. Solar power projects of 32 MW in Pekhubela, 5 MW in Bhanjal, and 10 MW in Aghlaur have been completed in record time. Additionally, projects with a combined capacity of 163 MW are under construction, involving an investment of Rs. 500 crore. In the future, Una will not only meet its electricity demands but also supply power to other districts. Moreover, an ultra-modern Bulk Drug Park is coming up in Haroli, which will create thousands of job opportunities and significantly strengthen Una’s industrial presence.

Launching a scathing attack on the BJP, the Chief Minister said that just before the 2022 elections, the previous BJP government wrecked the state’s economy. Around 600 schools and health institutions were opened without any proper planning. Public assets worth Rs. 5,000 crore were distributed and sold. Big hotels and factories were given electricity subsidies worth Rs. 2,200 crore and water subsidies worth Rs. 800 crore for electoral gains, which has left the state in serious financial distress.

Earlier in the day, the Chief Minister inaugurated and laid the foundation stones of development projects worth Rs. 75.10 crore in the Gagret Assembly Constituency. These include the foundation stones of construction of a major 400-meter span bridge on the Swan River under PMGSY-III on Amb-Ambota road at a cost of Rs. 42.82 crore, construction of four bridges under PMGSY-III on Gagret to Oyal Bhawa over Tatchra, Mawa Sindhian, Shilang, and Loharli khads via upper Siriyan to cost Rs. 2.70 crore.

He laid the foundation stone of a bridge over Jadla khad on Pipluh to upper Loharli to cost  Rs. 3.59 crore, metalling and tarring work on Ram Mandir to Banne-di- Hatti via Upper Andaura, Jattan-da-Behda, Athwan road to cost 6.46 crore. He also laid the foundation stone of the additional building of Government Degree College Daulatpur Chowk to cost 2.79 crore.

The Chief Minister inaugurated the workshop of Government Polytechnic College, Ambota, completed with an outlay of 2.27 crore, inaugurated Rs. 1.85 crore lift drinking water supply schemes in Shivpur and Banne-di-hatti, a composite lift drinking water scheme in Gondpur Banehra completed at a cost of Rs. 1.03 crore, multi-village piped drinking water scheme in Shivbari under Jal Jeevan Mission completed at a cost of Rs. 1.08 crore. He also inaugurated Rs. 3.10 crore multi-village piped water scheme in Nakroh, Rs. 2.40 crore multi-village piped water schemes in Amlehar and Bhanjal.

He also dedicated Rs. 1.05 crore tube-well improvements in Upper Andaura improvement of tube-well at Andoura-1 completed at a cost of Rs. 1.02 crore besides improvement of tube-well at Mawa Sindhian, and Nakroh completed with a cost of Rs. 1.05 crore and Rs. 1.07 crore respectively and new tube-well construction in Kailash Nagar at a cost of Rs. 82.18 lakh.

Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri, in his address, said that Rs.170 crore has been invested solely in water supply schemes in the Gagret Assembly Constituency. This will offer a permanent solution to drinking water and irrigation problems. He criticized the central government for delaying the release of funds for water schemes in Himachal Pradesh. While the state was supposed to receive Rs. 2,000 crore, only Rs. 137 crore has been sanctioned so far. He asserted that the state government is strongly advocating for its rightful share and has met the Union ministers in Delhi to pursue the same.

The Chief Minister said that Una has emerged as the fastest-growing district in the state and is being developed as a "Solar Hub" of the state.

Local MLA Rakesh Kalia, while welcoming the Chief Minister, expressed his gratitude for dedicating several developmental projects in his constituency. He raised several development-related demands, including additional funding for the Gagret hospital building on which rupees seven crore has already been spent, and an additional amount of rupees one crore has been recently sanctioned. He also urged the CM to release more funds for completing the remaining work.

He requested to expedite the land acquisition process for 33 KV substations in Loharli and Mubarakpur. He also sought budgetary assistance for local roads and district-level status for the Shivbari fair.

The event was attended by Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri, MLA Sudarshan Babloo, Chairman of the SC Commission Kuldeep Kumar, Advocate General Anup Kumar Rattan, District Congress President Ranjeet Rana, Block Congress President Surender Kanwar and senior officers of the district.

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