BJP Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut on Wednesday praised the National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) for restoring major connectivity in disaster-hit Himachal Pradesh but expressed disappointment over the poor condition of link roads and highways.
Ranaut said she had written to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh about the issue. She pointed out that debris from landslides and flash floods still lies uncleared in many places.
“The situation is very disappointing in Himachal Pradesh. NHAI work is ongoing on a war footing. They have brought in connectivity overnight, but link roads and highways are in really bad shape. Even the debris has not been removed from there,” she said.
"I have written to the CM and PWD Minister Vikramaditya. This is shameful. We should bring people out of this crisis by forming a team,” she added.
Meanwhile, Himachal Pradesh has witnessed massive destruction during this monsoon. Since June 20, 451 people have lost their lives, including 262 in rain-related disasters such as landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, electrocution, and lightning. Another 189 people died in road accidents, as per the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA).
The report also states that 497 people have been injured, and 47 remain missing. The disaster has hit livestock too, with over 2,511 animals dead and nearly 26,955 poultry birds lost.
Damage to homes and infrastructure has been severe. A total of 1,804 houses have been completely destroyed, while 29,466 were partially damaged. Around 665 shops/factories, 1,046 cow sheds, and 2,344 labour huts were also affected.
Public infrastructure losses are estimated at Rs 4,861 crore, with the highest damage reported in the Public Works Department (Rs 3,000 crore), followed by irrigation, water supply, power, education, health, and agriculture.
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