Shimla, July 31
Himachal PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Friday said the Congress is strengthening its organisational base across the state, with over 70 people joining the party in Shimla Rural Assembly constituency as part of its ongoing expansion drive.
Welcoming the new members at Rajiv Bhawan, Singh described Congress as a party committed to unity and development. He also criticised the Centre over the alleged NEET paper leak and the treatment of students during protests, calling for a united stand against “injustice.”
Later, addressing mediapersons, Singh announced that the Centre has approved nearly ₹290 crore for the upgradation of the Chaila–Sainj–Yashwant Nagar–Rajgarh road, a key route for apple growers in Kotkhai, Jubbal, Rohru and adjoining horticulture belts. He said the tender process would begin after completion of formalities so that construction could gather pace after the monsoon.
The minister also announced ₹60 crore for the Biradari road project and ₹50 crore for a previously left-out 16-km road stretch. He thanked the Union Minister, Education Minister Rohit Thakur, MLA Kuldeep Singh Rathore and other public representatives for supporting the proposal.
Singh said the state government is working on a war footing to restore road connectivity despite heavy rain and landslides. He said 129 departmental JCBs, 270 hired machines and around 560 machines in total have been deployed across Himachal for road restoration. An online dashboard is monitoring all blocked roads, with officials directed to restore connectivity within 24 hours wherever possible to ensure farmers and horticulturists can transport their produce without disruption.
