Vidhan Sabha Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania inaugurated two road construction projects in the Gram Panchayats of Dhalog and Bagdhar in the Bhattiyat assembly segment of Chamba district on Thursday. The cost of the projects is about Rs 2.66 crore.
Pathania said despite financial challenges, the state government remains committed to providing infrastructure, including roads, healthcare and education. Over the last two years, nearly 40 road projects have been launched in the Bhattiyat constituency, with 22 rural roads already completed.
Pathania said the Himachal Pradesh budget for the financial year 2025-26 has allocated Rs 100 crore under the Chief Minister’s Road Scheme. In addition, six road and bridge projects worth Rs 345.14 crore would be undertaken, while 50 roads and bridges worth Rs 498.62 crore would be developed with NABARD funding. To expedite project execution, the government has reduced the tender publication period from 14 to 7 days and set a 12-day deadline for awarding contracts.
The Speaker explained all rural road projects in Bhattiyat are being carried out by the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure compliance with procedural standards and ease future upgrades. He also provided an update on a Rs 62 crore lift drinking water scheme nearing completion, which would benefit several Gram Panchayats.
