Speaker Holds High-Level Meeting with NHAI and HP Govt Officials Over Rain Damage and Road Issues
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Shimla, Aug 28: Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania chaired a high-level meeting with officials from the state government, Public Works Department (PWD), and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) following widespread damage caused by heavy rains, cloudbursts, and flash floods in several districts.
Public Works Minister and top officials from key departments, including Chief Secretary Prabodh Saxena, DGP Ashok Tiwari, NHAI’s regional GM Col. Ajay Singh Bargoti, and PWD Secretary Abhishek Jain were present. The meeting addressed serious concerns raised in the Assembly and issued strict directives for immediate action and coordination.
Pathania emphasized that any negligence in implementing the committee’s decisions would be considered contempt of the House. He directed the NHAI and central ministry officials to coordinate closely with state PWD officials and regularly report progress.
He acknowledged that while four-laning projects are active in 5–6 districts, they are causing landslides and traffic disruptions. Officials were urged to prioritize the restoration of roads and formulate a concrete policy to mitigate public losses.
For better accountability, a senior NHAI officer will now be present in the Assembly gallery during sessions to assist the PWD Minister in responding to related queries.
Pathania also directed the immediate restoration of roads connecting sub-divisions to district headquarters and further to village panchayats. He instructed police deployment in affected areas to support stranded people and maintain order.
Regarding the Manimahesh Yatra, he reported that 3,280 pilgrims (including 1,730 men, 1,259 women, and 280 children) have been safely evacuated. Helicopter services were used for the sick, and road restoration work continued overnight.
Pathania stated that if weather permits, he will personally visit the affected areas via helicopter at 8 AM or by road to Chamba by 2 PM, to monitor ground realities and guide district officials in restoring normalcy.
