Punjab Newsline, New Delhi/Shimla-
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh today called on Union Minister for Rural Development, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Shivraj Singh Chouhan in New Delhi and held detailed discussions on strengthening the rural road network in Himachal Pradesh under PMGSY-IV.
Focus on PMGSY-IV
The PWD Minister highlighted that Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – IV (PMGSY-IV) is critically important for a hilly state like Himachal Pradesh, where roads are the primary mode of connectivity for the rural population. He informed that under PMGSY‑IV, Himachal Pradesh has proposed 294 road projects with a total length of 1538 km, aimed at providing all‑weather connectivity to more than 250 habitations, including 429 presently unconnected habitations.
He stated that these 294 road proposals together amount to a total outlay of about Rs 2309 crore for the State, which will give a major boost to rural infrastructure and accelerate socio‑economic development in remote and far‑flung areas. The Minister urged the Union Government to accord early approval to these proposals so that works can be taken up on priority and benefits percolate quickly to the rural populace.
Request on pending dues
Vikramaditya Singh also requested the Union Minister to release Rs 76 crore pending from the Government of India for various road projects in the State. He said timely release of this amount would help in expediting ongoing works and ensuring their completion within stipulated timelines, thereby improving connectivity and road safety in rural regions.
Dodra Kwar road under PMGSY‑I
During the meeting, the PWD Minister further took up the issue of three left‑out road packages of Dodra Kwar (Larot–Kiterwari) under PMGSY‑I. He pointed out that although this phase of the scheme has formally closed, the extremely remote location, high altitude and tough geographical conditions of the Dodra Kwar area warrant special consideration in the larger interest of the local rural population.
He urged that these packages be sympathetically considered so that the people living in this difficult region get dependable road access, which is vital for education, health services, livelihoods and overall development.
Assurance from Union Government
Shivraj Singh Chouhan gave a patient hearing to all the issues raised by the PWD Minister and assured full cooperation from the Government of India. He said that he would take up the matter of the Dodra Kwar road at the appropriate level in the Government and also directed officers of the Ministry to ensure release of the pending amount to Himachal Pradesh at the earliest.