In a strong response to the rising public anger over the ongoing National Highway widening projects, Himachal Pradesh Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh said he will be meeting Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari in Delhi on July 19. Singh said he would directly raise people’s concerns and grievances about the four-laning works with the Union Minister.
"I have been receiving regular complaints from the public, both directly and through social media, about damages caused to their homes, land, and farms due to highway widening works. Even Anurag Thakur has expressed concern, and I noticed that Gadkari ji himself seems to be receiving a wave of complaints online. I will seek an appointment with him and present a detailed report on the state of NH four-laning projects in Himachal," Singh said.
Mentioning the viral posts circulating on social media, Anirudh Singh said there has been a growing outcry online over the injustice being inflicted on Himachal and its people through the ongoing four-lane widening projects carried out by the NHAI.
"I myself tagged the Prime Minister and the Union Minister in posts where people were seen submerged in water or walking through flooded sections. After these posts gained attention, central officers visited the site and got the matter rectified," he said.
He reaffirmed his party and government’s commitment to infrastructure development but stressed that it must be carried out with fairness and justice.
"We fully support the construction of national highways. The State provides resources, land, stone, and soil from its own domain. People even suffer damages silently. But this doesn't mean injustice will be tolerated. Development must not come at the cost of justice." Singh said.
Singh also welcomed the protest call given by the Himachal Kisan Sabha and other farmers’ groups, who are planning to hold a demonstration outside the National Highways Authority office on Wednesday.
"Everyone has the right to fight for justice and raise their voice. Such protests are welcome and part of democracy," he remarked.
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