Parliament Question: National Highway projects in Himachal Pradesh

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO - 4238 ANSWERED ON – 01/04/2026 NATIONAL HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN HIMACHAL PRADESH

4238. SHRI HARSH MAHAJAN:

Will the Minister of ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS be pleased to state;

(a) how many National Highway projects have been approved in Himachal Pradesh at present and how many are pending;

(b) what amount has been spent on these projects during the last three years, project-wise and year-wise, details thereof; and

(c) what steps Government is taking to complete the pending projects at the earliest? ANSWER THE MINISTER OF ROAD TRANSPORT AND HIGHWAYS (SHRI NITIN JAIRAM GADKARI)

(a) to (c) Development and maintenance of National Highways (NHs) including the NHs in the State of Himachal Pradesh is a continuous process. Works on NHs are accordingly taken up based on the traffic density, condition of road and synergy with PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan to keep the NHs in traffic worthy condition.

The details of projects sanctioned/approved for development & maintenance of NHs since 2022-23 is as under:

S. Financial Year No. of proposals Total length Total cost (Rs.

No. Approved/Sanctioned (in Km) In Cr.)

1. 2022-2023 19 205 5896

2. 2023-2024 23 453 3187

3. 2024-2025 25 249 713

4. 2025-2026 (up to 15 211 1320

29.03.2026)Funds for development and maintenance of NHs are allocated State-wise/Agency-wise and not project-wise. Funds allocated and expenditure incurred for development and maintenance of NHs for the State of Himachal Pradesh during the last three years and current

year are as under:

S. No. Financial Year Allocation (Rs. in Cr.) Expenditure (Rs. in Cr.)

1. 2022-2023 4,534 4,534

2. 2023-2024 5,175 5,175

3. 2024-2025 3,998 3,994

4. 2025-2026 (Till 31.01.2026) 2,947 2,799 Government actively monitors NH projects in close coordination with project implementing agencies, State Governments, contractors/developers. Periodic review meetings are held at various levels, and steps are taken to improve liquidity of funds available with contractors/developers, to expedite progress. In addition, various initiatives are taken to avoid or reduce project delays, including streamlining land acquisition & environment clearances, online approval of General Arrangement Drawing (GAD) of Railway Road Over Bridges/Road Under Bridges (ROBs/RUBs), revamping dispute resolution mechanism, premium re-scheduling, one- time fund infusion, etc. Cooperation and support of the State Government has been sought from time to time, to remove impediments to project implementation.

Wherever there are defaults attributable to Contractors/Concessionaires, actions against defaulting agencies are taken up as per the provisions of the Contract/ Concession agreement in cases of delays, deficiencies/ damages, such as termination of contract agreement, levying of penalties/ liquidated damages, debarment/ blacklisting, declaring as non-performers etc.

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