Himachal speaker calls NHAI meeting with high powered committee over toll waiver, Rain-hit Highway damage
Photo used for indicative purpose only. Source: Internet
Shimla, Aug 27,
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Wednesday announced that a high-powered committee meeting will be held at the state assembly complex on Thursday to address the waiver of toll charges on the Kiratpur–Manali four-lane highway and review damage to rain-hit infrastructure across the state.
The Speaker said the meeting, convened at the request of PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, will be attended by senior officials from the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), the Chief Secretary, Secretary GAD, and PWD officers. “Since the state government cannot give any assurance on behalf of NHAI, I will personally chair the meeting to ensure that the issue of toll waiver is properly taken up,” Pathania told the House.
The matter came up during Zero Hour when BJP MLA Trilok Jamwal highlighted how incessant rains had disrupted the movement of cement trucks, tourist buses, and other vehicles in his constituency. Another BJP MLA, Randhir Sharma, pointed out that heavy boulders continue to block highways and urged the government to suspend toll collection under the Disaster Management Act.
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, in a suo motu statement, said nearly 800 km of roads in the state fall under NHAI. He noted that prolonged travel times—stretching up to 12 hours between Mandi and Kullu—have severely impacted tourism and agriculture. Supplies of perishable goods, including flowers and vegetables, have been hit, causing economic losses.
Detailing the devastation caused by monsoon rains between August 24–26, the minister said 1,091 roads and two bridges were damaged in just two days, resulting in estimated losses of Rs 155 crore. In Kullu and Manali alone, damages were pegged at Rs 30 crore, with the 25.6-meter steel bridge at Marsu and the 17-Mile bridge on the NHAI stretch washed away. Currently, only the Raison bridge remains operational joining left and right bank of Manali area accessible. Restoring damaged roads and bridges will require an additional Rs 15 crore, he added.
Kangra district also reported losses of about Rs 30 crore after water released from the Pong Dam damaged two bridges. In Chamba, 43 roads under the Dalhousie circle were closed and damages worth Rs 30 lakh were recorded, along with disruption of telecom networks.
Singh said heavy machinery has been deployed on a war footing to restore road connectivity and announced that adequate support will be provided to the families of two JCB operators who lost their lives while clearing roads.
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The HimachalScape Bureau comprises seasoned journalists from Himachal Pradesh with over 25 years of experience in leading media conglomerates such as The Times of India and United News of India. Known for their in-depth regional insights, the team brings credible, research-driven, and balanced reportage on Himachal’s socio-political and developmental landscape.
