Public Work Minister Vikramaditya Singh said that a comprehensive strategy was adopted to expedite the implementation of development projects under the Public Works and Urban Development departments. He said that a high-level review meeting was recently held with the senior officers, engineers and executive officers of Urban Development department, PWD and NABARD.
He said that Himachal Pradesh was leading the nation in uploading detailed project reports (DPRs) under Phase-IV of the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). The state was poise to achieve the ambitious target of constructing 1500 km of roads, provided there was full cooperation from local communities and panchayats. However, the target could curtailed to 400–500 km in the absence of timely land availability and local support.
Highlighting key challenges such as delays in forest clearances and non-registration of land in the name of the department, the Minister stated that a joint meeting under the chairmanship of the Chief Minister planned with the Panchayati Raj and Rural Development Departments. The land identification and acquisition processes would accelerated with the involvement of local representatives and the district administration.
To ensure accountability, PWD divisions have been classified into four zones red, yellow, green and non-performing. Strict action, including charge sheets and blacklisting would taken against underperforming officers and contractors, the Minister added.
Vikramaditya Singh revealed that projects worth Rs. 1200 crore have proposed under the urban challenge fund under Urban Development department. While 25 percent of the funding would come from the Centre and State governments, the rest would be mobilized through banks and market mechanisms.
The priority areas include sanitation, drainage, parking facilities and strengthening of urban infrastructure. The Minister said that he would soon meet the Central Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chauhan to press for special category state status to Himachal Pradesh.
Terming the next three months before the onset of monsoon as a ‘golden window’, the Minister appealed to elected representatives, administrative officers, citizens and contractors to support the government in speeding up development, particularly in remote and tough terrains of Kullu, Sirmaur, Chamba, Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur districts.
