In the wake of devastating floods, landslides, and cloudbursts that have battered Himachal Pradesh, the Central government has reiterated its unwavering support for the state's recovery and reconstruction efforts. Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari, on Wednesday, assured Union Health Minister and BJP National President J.P. Nadda that urgent steps are being taken to restore damaged infrastructure, particularly roads in the Mandi district.
Nadda, who hails from Himachal Pradesh, met Gadkari along with Rajya Sabha MP Harsh Mahajan to discuss the urgent need for restoration of road connectivity and basic infrastructure in flood-affected regions. The meeting was held in Delhi and followed Nadda’s recent visit to the severely affected Seraj and Thunag areas of Mandi on July 10.
Speaking after the meeting, Nadda said, “The Central government will leave no stone unturned for Himachal Pradesh. Every road in the areas damaged by the tragedy will be repaired on a war footing.” He commended Gadkari’s detailed roadmap for the reconstruction of roads, tunnels, and bridges in rural Himachal and expressed optimism that the slow pace of development in hill regions will now be accelerated.
In a significant relief measure, the Centre has sanctioned Rs 201 crore under the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) in the first phase to support the rebuilding of drains, pathways, and roads at the panchayat level. “This will speed up small and big works under MNREGA and restore livelihood and infrastructure in the worst-hit villages,” Nadda added.
Highlighting the ongoing support, Nadda pointed out that Himachal Pradesh has already received over Rs 5,000 crore from the Centre under the National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF) and State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). “If we look at just the last few years, during the 2023 disaster alone, the Centre had extended Rs 3,146 crore in relief. This year, an additional Rs 2,006 crore has already been sanctioned for rehabilitation,” he said.
Nadda further emphasized that the government under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership is committed to standing with Himachal Pradesh not just during disasters, but also in rebuilding lives. “The Centre has given over 1 lakh houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana and sanctioned over Rs 3,000 crore under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana for rural roads in Himachal. This is not just a promise, but a responsibility,” he declared.
