Shimla, March 13 — The Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued a notification transferring the responsibility for maintenance of certain National Highway stretches in Himachal Pradesh to the state government. Officials said the decision will allow the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) to directly manage and maintain these sections.
According to the notification issued by the central ministry, specific portions of National Highways within the state will now be maintained by the Himachal Pradesh government instead of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) or other central agencies.
State officials said the move has been taken to ensure faster maintenance and repair work on roads that require immediate attention.
Responsibility shifted to state PWD
Under the new arrangement, the state PWD will take over operational responsibility for selected NH stretches, including routine maintenance and repair work. Authorities believe the change will help address road conditions more quickly, particularly in difficult hill terrain where weather conditions often damage road surfaces.
Officials explained that when the state government handles maintenance directly, administrative approvals and field-level decisions can be taken faster than through central agencies.
“The notification from the Union ministry authorises the state to maintain specific National Highway sections through the PWD,” an official familiar with the development said.
Challenges in hill highway maintenance
Maintaining highways in Himachal Pradesh has often been challenging due to landslides, snowfall, and frequent weather-related damage. Several stretches require regular repair and strengthening, especially in districts where heavy rainfall and snowfall affect road infrastructure.
Transport and infrastructure planners have noted that local agencies often respond more quickly to such issues because they already operate road maintenance machinery and personnel in the region.
WATCH: 24×7 LIVE Himachal Pradesh News
Part of broader road management strategy
The decision reflects a broader policy where the central government sometimes entrusts state governments with the maintenance of smaller or less trafficked NH segments. This approach is intended to improve efficiency and ensure better upkeep of road networks.
Officials said the state government will receive the necessary administrative authorisation to carry out maintenance work while the highways will continue to remain part of the National Highway network of India.
Impact on connectivity
Improved maintenance could help ensure smoother connectivity between towns and rural areas, particularly in mountainous districts where road transport is the primary mode of travel.
Infrastructure experts say quicker repair work may also reduce travel disruptions caused by landslides or road damage, which often affect tourism and supply chains in the hill state.
The Himachal Pradesh government is expected to issue detailed instructions to the PWD regarding implementation of the notification in the coming weeks.
