CM Sukhu on Saturday said that the Public Works Department (PWD) must be strengthened and transformed into a technology-driven institution to effectively address future challenges, particularly those arising from climate change and natural disasters.
Presiding over the North Zone Inter-State Interactive Session on “Quality Assurance in Public Works Departments,” attended by senior officers and engineers from Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Haryana, Punjab, Uttarakhand and Rajasthan, the Chief Minister highlighted the need for comprehensive reforms in the department.
He said the state government has initiated wide-ranging reforms in the PWD to enhance its capacity and preparedness. Appreciating the department’s role during recent natural calamities, he noted that Himachal Pradesh has faced several disasters over the past three years, during which the PWD played a crucial role in restoring connectivity and infrastructure.
Sukhu said the effects of climate change are already evident in Himachal Pradesh and are expected to impact other states in the coming years. With nearly 90 percent of the state’s terrain being mountainous, he said road connectivity remains a fundamental necessity. He emphasized the need for the department to move beyond conventional infrastructure projects and focus on advanced engineering works such as tunnel construction and high-rise buildings.
The Chief Minister cautioned that rebuilding infrastructure damaged by disasters would emerge as one of the biggest challenges in the future. He pointed out that around four percent of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is currently spent on disaster reconstruction and this could rise to 14 percent by 2050. In view of these projections, he stressed the importance of adopting modern technologies and expanding the department’s technical capabilities.
He also suggested that the PWD should broaden its traditional mandate and explore opportunities in emerging sectors, including dam construction. The state government, he said, is considering expanding the department’s scope of work in the future.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister released a book titled “Quality Control for Road Works.”
Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh, addressing the session, underscored the importance of capacity building and the adoption of modern technologies. He said such interactive forums provide engineers with valuable exposure to innovative practices and technological advancements.
Highlighting the growing challenges posed by global warming, he called for new approaches and innovative solutions to infrastructure development across northern India. Sustainable development, he said, has become an essential priority in the current scenario.
The minister informed that Himachal Pradesh has a road network of nearly 45,000 kilometres, with most panchayats now connected by roads. Maintaining this extensive infrastructure sustainably remains a major challenge, he said, adding that the state government has introduced a new drainage policy to improve road maintenance and enhance infrastructure longevity.
Vikramaditya Singh also noted that ongoing tensions in the Middle East have led to a rise in construction material costs, placing additional pressure on development projects. Addressing these emerging challenges, he said, remains a key focus area for the government.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
