Building resilient roads: Himachal’s long-term strategy against monsoon destruction
Himachal Pradesh has long relied on its extensive road network as the backbone of connectivity across its mountainous terrain. From remote villages to bustling district headquarters, roads are the lifeline of mobility, trade, tourism and essential public services. Strengthening and safeguarding this network is vital not only for economic progress but also for the safety and well-being of its people. In this spirit, the State Government has formulated a comprehensive ‘Road Drainage Policy’ aimed at ushering in a new era of resilient and sustainable road infrastructure under the guidance of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.
The Spokesperson of the State Government stated here today that the policy has been conceived to address the recurring damage inflicted on the state’s roads by intense monsoon rains. Himachal Pradesh maintains over 40,000 kilometers of road network comprising Major District Roads (MDRs) and Other District Roads (ODRs), including rural link and village roads, under the Public Works Department (PWD). Field observations and post-monsoon assessments have consistently demonstrated that inadequate drainage provisions are the primary cause of repeated road deterioration.
In 2023 and 2025 alone, the state incurred estimated losses of nearly Rs. 2400 crore and Rs. 3000 crore, respectively, due to extensive road damage. Technical evaluations further revealed that insufficient drainage systems, coupled with slope instability, were the key factors behind such recurring destruction. Beyond major disaster-driven events, substantial annual expenditure continues to be incurred on repairing monsoon-related damage across both urban and rural roads.
Traditionally, drainage provisions along PWD roads have been developed based on conventional patterns, field constraints, and incremental additions rather than scientific hydraulic or terrain-based design principles. Recognizing this critical gap, the new Drainage Policy introduces a transformative shift by placing hydrology-based design at its core. Drainage structures will now be designed using scientific hydrological data, including actual rainfall intensity and catchment characteristics, instead of relying on standardized templates alone. This data-driven approach aims to reduce annual monsoon-related damage, improve network resilience and enhance public safety and serviceability.
He said that for all new road projects, box culverts will be adopted as the default drainage structure owing to their lower tendency to choke and their suitability for mechanical cleaning. The policy also emphasizes strengthened hillside protection, mandating preventive measures in landslide-prone and seepage zones to mitigate slope instability. By integrating drainage as a core engineering element rather than treating it as an ancillary feature during construction and maintenance, the policy seeks to significantly enhance the lifecycle performance and durability of roads.
Special provisions have been made for habitation zones, where drains will be covered using standardized designs incorporating anti-theft measures. On uncovered stretches, raised kerbs with periodic inlet openings will be constructed to ensure a safe traffic edge while maintaining effective water flow. Reflectors will be installed at appropriate intervals to enhance nighttime visibility and traffic safety. These measures are intended not only to improve drainage efficiency but also to promote safer and more user-friendly road environments.
Implementation of the policy will be undertaken in phases, with priority accorded to Major District Roads to ensure reliable, all-weather connectivity, particularly in economically and strategically important regions of the state. The policy also provides for strict enforcement under the HP Road Infrastructure Protection Act to prevent unauthorized discharge of domestic wastewater, roof water, sewage, and solid waste into road drains. Obstruction of water flow through the parking of vehicles within drains, placement of construction materials, or other encroachments will be treated as prohibited activities liable for action under the Act.
In essence, this Draft Road Drainage Policy represents a long-term structural solution to monsoon-related road damage in Himachal Pradesh. By combining scientific planning, robust engineering standards, preventive hillside measures, and strict enforcement mechanisms, the state aims to build a safer, more resilient, and durable road network, stated he.
Reflecting the government’s broader vision of “Vyavastha Parivartan”, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has emphasized that sustainable infrastructure reform is essential to protecting public resources and ensuring uninterrupted connectivity for citizens. He has underscored that strengthening core systems such as road drainage is not merely a technical upgrade but a governance commitment to long-term resilience, public safety, and improved quality of life. Through this forward-looking initiative, the state moves decisively toward institutional reform and durable infrastructure development.
