Himachal Pradesh CM blames ‘Bihari architects’ for destruction in the state, says hills have been ‘wrongly cut’

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National Highways Authority of India (NHAI). He advocated for a greater emphasis on tunnel construction rather than expanding road widths.

Drawing from historical precedent, he cited the British-era rail links between Kalka and Shimla, established through numerous tunnels that have stood the test of time. Although acknowledging the costliness of tunnel construction, he urged the NHAI to prioritise long-term viability over immediate expenses.

The CM mentioned that the state had experienced a loss of around 300 lives from July onwards and had incurred significant financial damages amounting to ₹10,000 crore. He specifically emphasised the need for increased support to hill states and those located in the Northeast region.

Drawing attention to the current scenario, he remarked that the Centre's allocation of ₹1.5 lakh for the restoration of each kilometer of a damaged road was inadequate. “That’s nothing," he said.