Himachal’s Rural Road Network Set for Expansion with Proposed Rs 3,000 Crore

A proposed Rs 3,000-crore central investment could expand Himachal Pradesh’s rural road network, with 340 projects covering 1,659 kilometres awaiting approval under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV).

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh said all formalities for the proposed projects had been completed. The state expects approval from the Union Ministry of Rural Development, with construction targeted to begin in January, subject to clearance.

The Centre has already approved approximately Rs 2,300 crore for 290 roads covering 1,500 km, currently at various stages of implementation. The official clearance records 294 road works spanning 1,538.06 km, valued at Rs 2,247.24 crore, including a central share of Rs 2,019.70 crore and a state share of Rs 227.54 crore.

Nationally, PMGSY-IV has an outlay of Rs 70,125 crore for 2024–25 to 2028–29, targeting 62,500 km of roads to connect 25,000 eligible unconnected habitations. The programme is expected to improve access to healthcare, education and markets.

In Himachal Pradesh, better roads could facilitate transportation of apples and other horticultural produce, support tourism and reduce travel difficulties for remote communities. The state’s rural road maintenance policy identifies a network of approximately 26,000 km, highlighting the need for sustained upkeep alongside new construction.

Singh said the state had received around Rs 10,000 crore during the current government's tenure for roads, sanitation, drinking water, the AMRUT Mission and other development initiatives. The state is also undertaking road maintenance works worth approximately Rs 800 crore.

However, a shortage of bitumen, attributed to global circumstances, could delay road surfacing. Singh said he would approach Union Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Hardeep Singh Puri for special assistance, considering the state's difficult geographical conditions.

The minister also referred to a proposed Rs 128-crore bridge programme to improve access to remote areas and urged residents to cooperate with land-related formalities, including gift deeds, to expedite projects.

During a recent visit to Brazil, Singh studied road construction, maintenance, upgrading and urban development practices that could potentially be adapted to Himachal Pradesh.

The proposed funding remains subject to central approval, while timely execution, quality construction and regular maintenance will determine its long-term benefits.