Rs 137.40 crore sanctioned for heavily damaged Mandi-Gaggal-Chail Chowk-Janjehli road
Sourabh kumar
Shimla: In a significant push to restore connectivity in disaster-struck regions, Himachal Pradesh has secured substantial financial assistance under the Central Road Fund (CRF) for reconstruction of roads damaged during the recent cycle of floods, cloudbursts and landslides.
According to the Public Works Department, the state has so far been sanctioned 191 CRF projects worth Rs 2,442.18 crore. Of these, 154 projects have been completed, six have been de-sanctioned, while 32 projects are currently under execution.
By March 31, 2025, the state had received Rs 1,336.60 crore from the CRF, with a cumulative expenditure of Rs 1,511.29 crore, reflecting accelerated utilisation to restore damaged stretches across districts like Mandi, Kullu, Shimla, Chamba and Kangra.
Key CRF sanctions for disaster restoration
Of the sanctioned amount, Rs 137.40 crore is for the heavily damaged Mandi-Gaggal-Chail Chauk-Janjehli road, one of the worst-affected routes during the monsoon; Rs 48.69 crore for the Jejon Mod-Tahliwal road in Una district; and Rs 38.50 crore for the construction of a 110-metre double-span bridge over the Beas river in Kullu district to replace the structure washed away last year.
PWD officials said these approvals will enable faster rebuilding of arterial routes and ensure relief access to communities still struggling with disrupted connectivity.
Additional central aid under NDRF
Alongside CRF support, the Centre recently approved a massive Rs 2,006.40 crore disaster-recovery package for Himachal under the Recovery & Reconstruction window of the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF). Of this, Rs 1,504.80 crore constitutes direct central assistance.
This package is specifically aimed at repairing infrastructure damaged in the 2023 monsoon disaster, which caused unprecedented destruction, including hundreds of landslides, road collapses, washed-away bridges and severe slope failures across hilly districts.
Leaders welcome funding boost
State PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh and former Chief Minister-cum-Leader of the Opposition Jai Ram Thakur described the CRF approval as “a major relief for disaster-hit communities”, thanking Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union National Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari for prioritising Himachal’s proposals.
The state government has directed departments to expedite tendering, incorporate climate-resilient road design and ensure slope-stabilisation measures to prevent repeat collapses.
With roads forming the backbone of mobility in the hill state, the CRF and NDRF funding marks a crucial step toward restoring normalcy. Officials say the combined resources will help rebuild not just damaged roads but also fortify the state’s infrastructure against future extreme-weather events.
