Infrastructure development plays a pivotal role in accelerating the pace of development in the state and road infrastructure development yields a multiplier effect on development. The state government is laying emphasis on strengthening of road connectivity in the state as due to limited rail and air connectivity, the road infrastructure become more important.
Himachal Pradesh has network of 40,020 kilometers of motorable roads and 10,591 villages connected with road facilities by the state government. About 2,278 bridges have been constructed. The state government in span of just over four years has constructed over 3527 kilometers of motorable roads and 268 kilometers of jeepable roads in Himachal Pradesh.
To ensure development of rural areas, the state government has re-organised Gram Panchayats and to provide road connectivity in the newly created Panchayats, all out efforts are being made. The number of Gram Panchayats has increased to 3615 as a result of re-organization of Panchayats. Out of these, 3556 Panchayats are connected with road, out of the remaining 59 Panchayats 20 will be connected with the road in 2022-23.
Since 2019 till December 2021 as many as 219 villages were connected with roads having population of more than 1500, 296 villages having population between 1000 to 1499, 1324 villages having population between 500 to 999, 3655 villages having population of 250 to 499 and 5097 villages having population below 250 have been connected with roads.
As many as 19 National Highways with road length of 2592 kilometers were the lifelines of the State Road Network out of which 1238 kilometers were being maintained and developed by HP Public Works Department.
The government is also ensuring successful implementation of Centre government schemes in the state. Under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, 865 works have been completed and 5408 kilometer roads have been constructed.
Under Rural Infrastructure Development Fund-NABARD, 68 bridges and 498 kilometer roads have been constructed in the state. Under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF), 28 bridges have been constructed and road length of 65.8 kilometer has been upgraded in the state.
The state has received various awards for successful implementation of Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY). In the year 2020, the Ministry of Rural Development GoI adjudged District Mandi among 30 best performing districts, whereas Himachal Pradesh secured second position in the country. In the year 2020-21 district Mandi secured first position for construction of longest road length under PMGSY. Other districts viz Solan, Chamba, Shimla, Kangra, Una, Sirmaur and Hamirpur were also included in top 30 districts for work under PMGSY. Himachal Pradesh achieved best performing status for construction of 1104 kilometer road till 23rd October, 2020 under PMGSY.
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