Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 15 national highway projects and one ropeway project, collectively valued at ₹4,000 crore.
Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, Nitin Gadkari, unveiled a transformative infrastructure initiative in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, on March 5. Inaugurating and laying the foundation stone for 15 national highway projects and one ropeway project, the cumulative cost of these endeavors amounts to ₹4,000 crore.
The projects encompass diverse initiatives such as the construction of Theog Bypass on Devrighat-Premghat, a 196-m bridge on the Kalruhi section, and a 225-m Dhaliyara Bridge on National Highway-503 in Kangra district. Notable among the projects inaugurated are an 8-km four-lane missing link with a cable-stay bridge on National Highway-503A leading to Birhu-Lathiani. Additionally, a 2-km bridge from Mohal in Kullu to the renowned Bijli Mahadev Temple was inaugurated, costing ₹272 crore.
Other initiatives include slope protection works covering a 4-km stretch to prevent landslides on the Parwanoo-Solan section of National Highway-22, the construction of a 500-m artificial tunnel on National Highway-5, and a 410-m, 2-lane Road Under Bridge (RUB) on National Highway-503.
The completion of these projects is anticipated to reduce the distance from Hamirpur to Mandi by 15 km, enhancing connectivity to regions like Tauni Devi, Awahdevi, Sarkaghat, Dharampur, and more. Furthermore, 4-lane connectivity to Darlaghat Cement Factory and AIIMS Bilaspur will improve logistics and health services access. The cable-stayed bridge over Govind Sagar Lake is set to reduce the current distance from Birhu to Lathiani, Hamirpur to Una by 21 km.
A significant aspect of the infrastructure development is the ropeway project, promising to decrease the travel time to the pilgrimage site Bijli Mahadev from 2 hours 30 minutes to approximately 7 minutes. This initiative ensures all-weather connectivity for 36,000 pilgrims daily.
The slope protection and tunnel construction projects aim to mitigate landslides, ensuring safer and more accessible travel. Altogether, the highway projects will alleviate challenges associated with travel on hilly roads, ushering in improved connectivity and convenience for the region.
