Himachal Pradesh's Infrastructure Rebuild: A Race Against Time

In a crucial meeting held on Tuesday, Himachal Pradesh Minister Vikramaditya Singh spearheaded discussions with the Special Task Force Committee aimed at tackling pressing infrastructure issues within the state. The task force, focusing on projects under the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH), seeks to ensure that ongoing and upcoming projects meet their deadlines. Key topics included land acquisition challenges, environmental clearances, and crucial steps to mitigate environmental impacts while improving road connectivity, which is vital for the state's economic growth, particularly in tourism and trade sectors.

Minister Singh emphasized the importance of cooperative efforts across departments to alleviate delays and push forward critical developments. His directives aim for seamless collaboration between state entities and national bodies like the NHAI and MoRTH to expedite solutions to long-standing issues. Singh also lauded the efforts of these organizations in repairing damaged highways post-monsoon, underscoring state support for their future efforts.

The meeting unfolded against a backdrop of significant human and infrastructure losses inflicted by the monsoon season. Recent figures reveal that since the arrival of monsoons in June, 417 lives have been lost in Himachal Pradesh due to rain-induced disasters, including landslides and floods. The extensive devastation has not only resulted in human casualties but has also wreaked havoc on livestock and infrastructure, amounting to an estimated Rs 4,58,000 lakh in damages. Notably, the Public Works Department has been severely impacted, followed by Jal Shakti Vibhag and the power sector. The state lingers in recovery mode, with districts like Mandi and Kangra bearing the brunt of the destruction.

(With inputs from agencies.)