March 6, 2024: Nitin Gadkari, the Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways, inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for 15 national highway projects and one ropeway project in Hamirpur, Himachal Pradesh, amounting to a total cost of Rs 4,000 crore.
Among the projects are the construction of Theog Bypass on the Devrighat-Premghat route, a 196-meter bridge on the Kalruhi section, and a 225-meter Dhaliyara Bridge on National Highway-503 in Kangra district. These newly inaugurated projects also encompass road construction initiatives such as an 8-kilometer missing link with cable stay bridge on National Highway-503A up to Birhu-Lathiani, a 2-kilometer bridge from Mohal in Kullu to the renowned Bijli Mahadev Temple costing Rs 272 crore, slope protection works spanning 4 kilometers on the Parwanoo-Solan section of National Highway-22, the construction of a 500-meter artificial tunnel on National Highway-5, and a 410-meter, 2-lane RUB on National Highway-503.
According to a statement by the ministry, these projects will not only reduce the distance from Hamirpur to Mandi by 15 kilometers but also enhance connectivity to areas like Tauni Devi, Awahdevi, Sarkaghat, and Dharampur. Furthermore, with the Darlaghat Cement Factory and AIIMS Bilaspur receiving 4-lane connectivity, logistical and healthcare services in the region will be significantly improved. The cable-stayed bridge over Govind Sagar Lake is expected to decrease the distance from Birhu to Lathiani and Hamirpur to Una by 21 kilometers. Additionally, the construction of the ropeway will drastically reduce travel time to the pilgrimage site Bijli Mahadev from 2 hours and 30 minutes to approximately 7 minutes, providing all-weather connectivity to approximately 36,000 pilgrims daily.
Moreover, the implementation of slope protection and tunnel construction projects aims to address landslide concerns and ensure safer and smoother travel experiences. The completion of various highway projects is anticipated to alleviate the challenges associated with traversing hilly terrains, facilitating easier and safer journeys for commuters.
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