Subhash Mahajan
Chamba
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania announced that link roads constructed under the Rural Development Department will be gradually brought under the jurisdiction of the Public Works Department (PWD) to ensure better maintenance and all-weather connectivity.
He was addressing a public gathering after performing the bhoomi pujan of the Samleta–Khaddi link road, to be constructed at a cost of approximately ₹90 lakh, in Gram Panchayat Baily.
Highlighting the damage caused to rural and ambulance roads during the monsoon season due to natural calamities, Pathania said that bringing these roads under PWD will improve their upkeep and quality, thereby providing reliable connectivity to the people.
Referring to the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, he noted that the state government has taken historic decisions in public interest, including necessary amendments to the disaster relief manual. He emphasized that the government has adopted sensitive and welfare-oriented policies, prioritizing social security.
Pathania also underlined the government’s achievements in education, stating that Himachal Pradesh now ranks fifth nationally in terms of educational standards. He added that the state has assumed responsibility as guardian for more than 6,000 orphaned children, ensuring their education, protection, and overall development.
Acknowledging the contributions of successive governments to the state’s progress, Pathania remarked that despite changes in power every five years, Congress governments have played a particularly significant role in shaping Himachal Pradesh’s development journey.
He assured the local Panchayat that demands presented in their memorandum would be fulfilled, promising early commencement of upgradation and maintenance work on the Kihar link road. He also announced that construction projects will be initiated to provide connectivity to remote villages such as Bhotan and Rakhed in the Bhatiyat constituency.
During the event, Pathania listened to public grievances and resolved many on the spot.
The occasion was attended by Chela Krishan Chand (Member, State Forest Corporation Board of Directors), Rakesh Kumar (Chief Conservator of Forests), Anil Bhardwaj (SDM), Mayank Sharma (DSP), Rajneesh Mahajan (Divisional Forest Officer), Anil Gurada (Block Development Officer), Rakesh Thakur (Executive Engineer), Pankaj Rathour, Narendra Chaudhary, local Panchayat Pradhan Captain Jaisi Ram, along with officials from various departments and local dignitaries.
