Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari on Tuesday, pressing for urgent support to rebuild roads ravaged by recent flash floods, cloudbursts, and landslides since the monsoon began on June 20. The state has endured 31 flash floods, 22 cloudbursts, and 18 landslides, severely damaging infrastructure.

Sukhu highlighted delays in national highway projects, urging immediate construction to restore connectivity. He requested the inclusion of key roads in the PM Gati Shakti Yojana and emphasized tunneling to reduce maintenance costs, referencing strategic roads previously raised with the Defence Ministry. Additionally, he sought approval for more ropeway projects to ease traffic congestion, vital for the tourism-driven state.

The Chief Minister’s Office stated that Sukhu detailed the extensive damage, estimating losses at ₹800 crore, and pushed for expedited central assistance. Gadkari assured full support, directing officials to prioritize Himachal’s requests. The meeting follows Sukhu’s earlier appeals for ₹172.97 crore to repair flood-damaged roads like Kullu-Manali and Mandi-Kamand-Katola-Bajaura, underscoring the state’s reliance on robust infrastructure.

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