Calling the NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate, BJP National President and Union Minister JP Nadda launched a sharp attack on the Himachal Pradesh government while speaking to the media in Bilaspur on Saturday. Referring to the recent clash between Shimla (Rural) MLA Anirudh Singh and NHAI officials, Nadda said, “When the protector becomes the predator, how will the administration function?”
He said the law-and-order situation in the state has hit an “all-time low,” adding that the state’s handling of administrative and infrastructure issues is deeply concernaing.
NHAI Shimla Incident Unfortunate – A Wake-Up Call
The NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate episode unfolded recently when a public confrontation occurred between a state legislator and NHAI officials. This incident, Nadda said, not only reflects a breakdown in coordination but is also symbolic of the eroding administrative discipline in Himachal Pradesh. “This is not the Himachal I served as MLA and minister,” he remarked.
Himachal’s Administrative Condition at Its Lowest
According to Nadda, the state’s governance has declined to an unprecedented level. From infrastructure approvals to forest clearance delays, he claimed the Congress-led administration has failed to maintain basic standards. He cited the NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate as a “symptom of systemic failure.”
National Highway Progress – Backed by the Centre
Amid criticism, Nadda thanked Prime Minister Modi and Union Minister Nitin Gadkari for their commitment to Himachal’s infrastructure growth. He said 2,592 kilometers of national highways are being developed:
- 785 km under NHAI
- 1,238 km by the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH)
- 569 km by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
He clarified that the NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate won’t derail these projects but has revealed serious roadblocks in the state’s administrative support.
Road Project Timelines – The Central Investment
Here are the major projects currently in execution:
- Parwanoo–Shimla highway – ₹7,667 crore, deadline: April 2027
- Kiratpur–Manali highway – ₹9,452 crore, includes 28 tunnels over 41 km
- Nerchowk–Pandoh – March 2026 target
- Takoli–Kullu–Manali stretch – Already completed
- Shimla–Mataur highway – ₹1,208 crore, 15 tunnels
- Pathankot–Mandi road – ₹1,088 crore, 13 tunnels
- Pinjore–Baddi–Nalagarh – ₹1,092 crore, completion by 2026
- DPRs prepared for Shimla–Shalaghat and Bilaspur–Hamirpur since October 2022
Despite such efforts, Nadda said the NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate has raised questions about the state government’s ability to facilitate national infrastructure.
Streamlining the Consent and NoC Process
One of Nadda’s primary concerns is the state’s current policy of treating national highway projects like industrial units—requiring annual NoCs and consents. He called for an overhaul of the mechanism, arguing that such bureaucratic hurdles contribute to tensions like the NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate.
Beas River Dredging and Forest Delays
Nadda also addressed the issue of river dredging in the Beas, clarifying that while it is a state responsibility, the Centre is willing to support on a case-by-case basis. Similarly, he noted that the Sundo–Kaza to Gramphu stretch approved in 2024 is still awaiting forest clearance. “The NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate again highlights the slow pace of such approvals,” he said.
Fund Utilization and Disaster Aid Concerns
According to Nadda, the Centre has already released ₹1,700 crore in disaster relief to the state, of which ₹1,000 crore has been spent. However, he criticized the government for utilizing only:
- 21% of the Ayushman Bharat health budget
- 24% of the total central health assistance
Nadda warned that underutilization of funds results in mismanagement and events like the NHAI Shimla incident unfortunate.
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