The Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) has been selected for a national award by the Union Ministry of Rural Development for its exceptional performance under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), marking a major milestone in the state’s rural connectivity drive.
The recognition comes at a time when Himachal Pradesh’s road network has expanded to over 42,779 kilometres, with more than 22,000 kilometres developed under PMGSY alone. The scheme has played a crucial role in connecting thousands of remote and inaccessible villages across the hill state.
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh said the honour reflects the consistent efforts of engineers, field staff, and officials who have worked in difficult terrain and challenging weather conditions to strengthen rural infrastructure.
In another major development, the Centre has approved PMGSY-IV for Himachal Pradesh with an outlay of around ₹2,247 crore. Under this phase, approximately 2,300 kilometres of new roads will be constructed to connect 429 previously unlinked habitations across the state.
The first phase of the project has set a target of around 1,500 kilometres of high-priority road stretches, aimed at accelerating connectivity in remote and backward regions.
Calling the approval a significant milestone, the minister said the initiative will help integrate far-flung areas with the mainstream economy and bring a strong push to rural development.
He added that the PMGSY-IV expansion is expected to set new standards for infrastructure growth in hilly regions by improving accessibility, boosting local economic activity, and strengthening transport facilities.
The PWD, he said, will continue to focus on maintaining high construction standards while ensuring faster execution of projects in coordination with the central government.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
