State Government strengthens road protection and maintenance through key amendments: PWD Minister

SHIMLA 4 September, 2026

Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh today here said that the Himachal Pradesh Road Infrastructure Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the Himachal Pradesh Vidhan Sabha, marks an important step towards strengthening the protection, maintenance and management of road infrastructure across the state.

The Minister said the amendments have been introduced with the aim of making enforcement faster, more effective and more transparent, while also simplifying procedures for the public and departmental officers.

He said that one of the major changes is the introduction of digital and geo-coordinated maps of road infrastructure. Once the road boundary is properly mapped and geo-coordinated, repeated physical demarcation will not be necessary for taking action under the Act. This will help speed up enforcement and also enable faster processing of permissions and NOCs for road access, roadside construction and other related activities.

Vikramaditya Singh said the amendments also provide for prompt restoration of damaged roads, bridges, drainage structures and other road infrastructure by the Department. The cost of restoration, along with the applicable penalty, can be recovered from the person responsible for the damage. He said that the amended provisions also allow the Department to take immediate preventive action in emergency situations where road infrastructure or public safety is at risk.

He further said that for better maintenance and timely repairs, the Act now provides for the restriction or closure of roads, or portions of roads, wherever necessary for maintenance, repair or protection of road infrastructure. This will help the Department carry out essential works safely and efficiently.

The PWD Minister said that the amendment rationalizes the offence provisions and removes the automatic criminalization of every contravention. Criminal prosecution will now be linked to specified serious or continuing violations, including obstruction of authorized officers, continuing a prohibited activity despite an order, willful non-payment of a final demand, and violation of a road restriction or closure order.

He said that the process has also been made more accessible to the public by increasing the time available for filing objections and appeals. An appellate mechanism at the Superintending Engineer level has also been provided, bringing the grievance and appeal process closer to the people. These amendments are aimed at ensuring stronger and faster protection of Himachal Pradesh’s road infrastructure, quicker processing of public permissions, efficient maintenance and repair of roads, and a fairer and more accessible enforcement system, the Minister said.

He added that the government is committed to improving the quality, safety and long-term sustainability of road infrastructure in the state, while ensuring that the procedures followed by the Department remain simple, transparent and people-friendly.