Himachal PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh flagged off 35 new vehicles worth 3.5 crore to aid flood relief and road restoration across disaster-hit regions. Highlighting that over 1,200 roads remain blocked, Singh urged PM Modi to announce a special relief package during his visit, stressing urgent support for apple-growing areas
a disaster-hit area as seen during Prime Minister Narendra Modi's aerial survey in Himachal Pradesh. Pic/PTI
With the situation in Himachal Pradesh already at its worst, the PWD Minister on Tuesday flagged off 35 vehicles for disaster-hit areas. The Himachal Pradesh Minister has also urged PM Modi for a special relief package for flood-affected regions across the state.
The Public Works Department (PWD) Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Vikramaditya Singh, on Tuesday, while flagging off 35 vehicles for use in disaster-affected areas of the state, also expressed that Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to the state today would extend full support to relief and restoration work.
Speaking to the media after flagging off the rescue vehicles in Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh Minister said, “The vehicles have been procured at a cost of about Rs 3.5 crore and will aid PWD officials and field staff engaged in road restoration and rescue operations following widespread monsoon damage,” as cited by news agency ANI.
He further added, "Today (9 September), I am happy that these vehicles are being released at a time when rescue and restoration work is ongoing across the state. But I am also deeply saddened that during these operations, two of our PWD operators lost their lives in the line of duty. We stand with their families and will extend full support," reported ANI.
PWD Minister Singh further said that the new vehicles will primarily be deployed in remote and difficult-to-reach subdivisions, where PWD engineers earlier faced challenges due to a lack of transport facilities.
While addressing the purchase of new vehicles, he asserted, "Our proposal is to purchase 70 vehicles, but in the first phase, we have bought 35. These will be sent to subdivisions where no departmental vehicles are available so that our junior engineers and SDOs can carry out their work more effectively."
The minister said a three-hour online review meeting was held with PWD officials to monitor road clearance.
Showing concern about the road infrastructure across Himachal Pradesh, the PWD Minister highlighted, "Yesterday’s (8 September) data shows 1,220 roads were still blocked. We have instructed the department to clear them as a priority. Excavators, JCBs, and other machines are deployed in various districts, including on the Jhalori Jot-Aut-Luhri National Highway and the Chamba-Bharmaur National Highway, with engineers stationed every 10–15 km to ensure quick clearance," as cited by ANI.
He noted that priority is being given to 100 per cent blocked roads with no alternate connectivity, especially in apple-growing areas of Kullu, Mandi, and Shimla districts, where farmers are struggling to transport their produce.
Concerning the situation, PWD Minister Singh also appealed for Central support in relief and restoration work.
Calling the day "important for Himachal Pradesh" due to PM Modi’s visit, Singh said, "The Prime Minister calls Himachal his second home. I believe that in this hour of disaster, he will rise above party politics and extend complete cooperation to the state. We expect a special package for disaster-hit areas. The Chief Minister will brief him in Kangra, and I am confident of a positive outcome."
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