Himachal PWD Minister Pushes for Railway Approvals to Boost Urban Projects

PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh met Railway Board CEO Satish Kumar to expedite flyover and viaduct constructions halted in Shimla due to delayed approvals. Singh highlighted the importance of these projects in reducing traffic congestion and discussed expanding the Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway line. Immediate action was promised, enhancing urban development efforts.

Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department Minister Vikramaditya Singh had a crucial meeting with Satish Kumar, Chairman and CEO of the Railway Board, in New Delhi on Friday. Singh raised concerns over stalled construction projects, specifically a flyover at the HP Vidhan Sabha junction and a viaduct along the Victory Tunnel, delayed due to pending approvals from Northern Railways. Emphasizing the need to decongest Shimla, a major tourist hub, Singh urged Kumar to expedite the approval process.

During the discussions, Singh also focused on the expansion plans for the state's railway network, particularly the Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway line. In response, Kumar assured that relevant authorities would be directed to immediately address the delays and commence work to ensure the project stays on track. He confirmed that progress on the Bhanupali-Bilaspur line was already underway.

Expressing his gratitude, Vikramaditya Singh thanked the Chairman and CEO for their prompt action on resuming stalled projects since April, which had affected the overall progress under the Smart City Project led by the PWD department. The Minister had earlier participated in the National Urban Convention organized by the Praja Foundation.

At the convention, Singh highlighted that nearly ten percent of Himachal Pradesh's population lives in urban areas, with the state government aiming to transform these regions into vibrant urban centers. He cited Dharamsala and Shimla as emerging smart cities.

Singh also discussed the implementation of the Urban Platform for Delivery of Online Governance (UPYOG) under the National Urban Digital Mission. This initiative aims to revolutionize municipal public services across all 60 urban local bodies in the state via a comprehensive digital platform, promising improved efficiency, transparency, and accessibility.

(With inputs from agencies.)