₹880 C Road Projects Handed Over to NHAI
To Give Fresh Momentum to Himachal’s Highway Network
In a major boost to Himachal Pradesh’s road infrastructure, projects worth over ₹880 crore across several National Highway stretches in the state will now be executed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). The move is expected to speed up the implementation of long-awaited road and bridge works aimed at improving connectivity in the hill state.
The projects, spread across the Chamba, Hamirpur, Rampur and Nahan National Highway divisions, cover a wide range of works, including new road construction, strengthening of existing highways, repairs, maintenance and bridge development. Together, they represent one of the most significant infrastructure packages approved for the state in recent years.
Before reaching this stage, extensive groundwork was carried out by the National Highways wing of the Public Works Department (PWD). Officials prepared detailed project reports for various highway stretches and worked closely with the Central government to secure approvals. The process involved addressing technical objections raised during scrutiny and making repeated visits to New Delhi to ensure the proposals moved forward without delay.
According to official figures, the approved package includes original construction projects worth ₹459.44 crore, Performance-Based Maintenance Contracts (PBMC) valued at ₹201.18 crore and other development works costing ₹93.16 crore. In addition, a major bridge project estimated at around ₹127 crore has also been sanctioned, taking the total value of the projects to approximately ₹880.78 crore.
Several of these works have already entered the execution phase. Construction has begun on some stretches, while contracts for others have been awarded following the completion of the tendering process. This is expected to pave the way for faster upgrades of key highway corridors across the state.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh is also learnt to have taken up the matter with the Central government, helping facilitate approvals and push the projects towards implementation.
With NHAI now taking charge of execution, attention will shift to the timely completion of the works. Improved highways, stronger road infrastructure and new bridges are expected to enhance travel, support economic activity and provide safer and smoother connectivity for residents and visitors navigating Himachal Pradesh’s challenging mountainous terrain.
As machinery begins to roll out and more projects move from paperwork to ground reality, the developments signal a new phase in the effort to strengthen the state’s transport network and make road travel more efficient across key regions of Himachal Pradesh.
