NHAI approves ₹22,000-cr highway projects in HP

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has given its in-principle approval for two major highway projects in Himachal Pradesh, the Shimla-Mataur and Pathankot-Mandi four-lane highways. The Shimla-Mataur project, estimated at ₹10,000 crore, and the Pathankot-Mandi project, costing ₹12,000 crore, are expected to promote tourism in the hill state and provide better connectivity to remote areas. In addition, the NHAI will present a concept paper on reducing and preventing landslides caused by road expansion, and will invest ₹300 crore in the project.

The detailed project report for the Pathankot-Mandi project, except for a 19 km section adjacent to Mandi town, is expected to be completed soon. Meanwhile, the DPR for the Hamirpur bypass road project is also expected to be completed shortly. The HP government has identified Kangra as the state's tourism capital, and these infrastructure projects are expected to contribute to its development.