Education Minister Rohit Thakur chaired a review meeting today to evaluate the progress of infrastructure and development projects in the Jubbal-Kotkhai constituency, with a focus on road restoration, public building construction, and disaster resilience.
Thakur emphasized the urgent need for high-quality construction practices, especially in light of recent extreme weather events. He directed officials from the Public Works Department (PWD) to adopt advanced technologies in road construction and restoration to ensure year-round connectivity, even during natural disasters like the heavy rains and cloudbursts seen in 2023 and 2024.
The Minister noted that the recent monsoon caused damage worth ₹167 crore across 14 divisions under Rohru Circle and two National Highways. The breakdown included ₹53 crore in Jubbal, ₹50 crore in Kotkhai, ₹24 crore in Rohru, ₹35 crore on NH-705, and ₹5 crore on NH-707.
Highlighting the disruption caused to apple growers during the peak harvest season, Thakur praised the swift response of the PWD in restoring road access. He confirmed that while all roads have been opened for light vehicles, 14 roads remain closed for heavy traffic and will be prioritized for reopening.
Thakur also called for the use of bailey bridges in landslide-prone areas and directed that all tenders under the Post-Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) be finalized by November 15, 2025.
In addition to road infrastructure, the Minister reviewed progress on the construction of educational, healthcare, and community buildings in the region. He urged departments to expedite ongoing works, adding that the State Government has allocated sufficient funds for infrastructure development in Kotkhai.
He also reviewed various other projects under NABARD, PMGSY-III, World Bank-assisted schemes, and education-related initiatives.
