In an electrifying ceremony held in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport & Highways, unleashed a monumental infrastructure spree, kickstarting 15 national highway projects and a pioneering ropeway project, all valued at a whopping Rs. 4,000 crore. The grand unveiling was graced by BJP’s National President, Jagat Prakash Nadda, Union Minister for Information and Broadcasting, Anurag Thakur, alongside Himachal Pradesh’s Public Works Department Minister, Vikramaditya Singh, amid a gathering of enthusiastic MLAs and officials.
Draped in the ethereal beauty of the Himalayas, this infrastructure fiesta promises to knit the serene landscapes of Himachal Pradesh with world-class connectivity. Among the marvels inaugurated were the Theog bypass, straddling the Devrighat-Premghat, and a duo of engineering wonders – bridges spanning 196m over Kalruhi and 225m over Dhaliyara on the bustling National Highway 503 in the Kangra district.
The event was not just about ribbon-cutting but also laying the foundation for future projects that include an 8 km stretch of 4-lane missing links, a cable-stayed bridge on National Highway 503A that promises to be a spectacle, and a 2 km long bridge that aims to bring devotees closer to the revered Bijli Mahadev Temple with a budget of Rs 272 crore. The suite of projects also features a ropeway designed to shrink the travel time to Bijli Mahadev from a daunting 2.5 hours to a mere 7 minutes, ensuring all-weather access for up to 36,000 pilgrims daily.
In addition, the construction endeavors aim to mitigate the perennial issue of landslides with slope protection works and a 500 m long artificial tunnel, enhancing safety and travel efficiency across this mountainous terrain.
This extensive development initiative promises to shave off 15 km from the Hamirpur to Mandi journey, boosting connectivity to numerous towns and ensuring faster access to critical facilities like the Darlaghat Cement Factory and AIIMS Bilaspur. The pièce de résistance, a cable-stayed bridge over Govind Sagar Lake, is set to redefine commutes, cutting down the distance between Birhu to Lathiani, and Hamirpur to Una by a remarkable 21 km.
In a landscape where journeys are often measured in hours rather than kilometers, these projects are not just about roads and bridges; they are lifelines that promise to bring the people of Himachal Pradesh closer, fostering development, safety, and prosperity in the lap of the Himalayas. The future of travel in Himachal looks not just easier but also significantly more scenic.
