4 July,2010

Roads are a fore runner of economic growth in hilly areas like Himachal Pradesh where other modes of transportation are limited. Keeping in view this, road construction has been accorded top priority in the State Government. A perspective plan is under way to provide all weather connectivity to all the villages having population of 250 in the State by 2012. 

Since the present Government took over, 2768 kms. of new motorable roads have been constructed in the State, besides, cross drainage has been provided in 3927 kms. road length. As many as 1504 kms. of roads has been tarred and annual surfacing completed 2167 kms. of road length. To ensure all weather connectivity 133 new bridges have been constructed on different roads in the State. The State had a network of 30444 kms. of motorable roads today as compared to 288 kms. in 1948 and 7609 kms. in 1971. 

During the current Financial Year a sum of Rs. 1300 crore has been earmarked for construction and maintenance of State roads and bridges in the State. Out of which Rs. 530 crore would be spent under State Plan, Rs. 220 crore under State Non-Plan, Rs. 250 crore under PMGSY and Rs. 300 crore under SRP. 

Due to the concerted efforts of the State Government, the Union Government has sanctioned an Annual Plan of Rs. 982.39 crore for various Road Projects in the State, which include World Bank and Special Projects. In addition to it, an amount of Rs. 88 crore had been approved by the Central Government for periodical renewal of 259.50 kms. National Highways in the State.  

The National Highway Authority of India has also agreed to include 1.7 kms tunnel at Kenchi ka Mod near Swarghat along with the road in feasibility study and detail engineering for the portion between Kartarpur-Bilaspur of National Highway-21. Apart from making journey in the State safe and speedy, the State Government is also endeavouring to make the State roads the commuter's delight. For this, the State Government has introduced the concept of blooming highways. Under this scheme, tree and ornamental flower plantation is being carried out along side all major roads in the State.

Five new National Highways, with a total length of 494.875 kms. have been sanctioned for the State, thereby increasing the number of National Highways in the State from 11 to 16 and the existing length of National Highways from 1456.711 kms. to 1951.586 kms. The National Highways approved are 59.775 kms. Hamirpur-Sujanpur-Palampur, 111.80 kms. Brahmpukhar-Bilaspur-Ghumarwin-Sarkaghat-Ladbhadol-Baijnath, 133 kms. Bharmour-Chamba-Dalhousie-Pathankot, 106.4 kms. Tara Devi-Jubberhatti-Kunihar-Ramshar-Nalagarh-Ghanauli and 83.9 kms. Chandigarh-PGI-Nalagarh-Ramshehar-Arki-Shalaghat roads.

 

As many as 2955 panchayats have been connected with roads out of the total 3243 panchayats in the State. Work is in progress in 255 panchayats. Similarly, out of the total 17449 villages 9383 villages stands connected and 8066 villages are still to be connected by the roads. Bilaspur district of the State has highest number of villages connected by the roads, where out of 962 villages 662 villages have been connected by the roads. In the Hamirpur district, out of 1634 villages, 1094 villages stand connected by roads.  

Under the Central Road Fund, 12 no. proposals worth   Rs. 124.82 crores have been sent to Central Government for approval. Besides, detailed estimate in respect of 8 projects amounting to Rs. 99.11 crores have been sent to Government of India, out of which approval for      4 projects amounting to Rs. 73.31 crores has been given by the Union Government.                     

Besides, 50 projects which includes 43 roads, 7 bridges worth Rs.227.74 crore has also been sanctioned by Government of India on the request of the State Government. 32 projects have been completed, whereas out of  which, work is in progress on 18 projects. The Government has incurred expenditure of Rs. 86.10 crore and submitted utilization of Rs. 86.10 crore.