The World Bank has approved $82 million (Rs 585 crore) for State Roads Transformation Project (HPSRTP) for Himachal Pradesh, as per sources. The project envisages upgradation of major roads as well as modernisation of the department. The works of 45km Barotiwala-Baddi-Sain-Ramshehar; 14.5km Dadol-Ladraurr road; 28km Mandi- Riwalsar-Kalkhar; and 3.5km Raghunathpura-Mandi- Harpura-Bharari will be undertaken with first tranche of project funds.
Works related to construction and maintenance of road projects in the state have been adversely affected due to the lockdown in the wake of COVID-19 pandemic, he reportedly conveyed, stressing on efforts to fix renewed targets taking a realistic view of the situation. According to sources, the government will also consider inter-district movement of road construction machinery to the sites.
It is reported that a target of construction of 900km road length was fixed for the year 2019-20 but only 800-km was achieved as works were halted due to Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown. Also, construction of 4,960-km roads has been fixed under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna (PMGSY) for the year 2020-21.