Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Friday announced that the state government is undertaking major reforms to strengthen the Public Works Department (PWD) and make it technology-driven to effectively address future challenges.
Sukhu was speaking at the North Zone Inter-State Interactive Session on "Quality Assurance in Public Works Departments," attended by senior engineers and officials from six northern states.
Need for resilient infrastructure
The chief minister said that frequent natural disasters and the growing impact of climate change have highlighted the need for resilient and modern infrastructure. With nearly 90% of Himachal Pradesh comprising mountainous terrain, road connectivity remains vital, he said, emphasising the need for advanced infrastructure projects such as tunnels and high-rise buildings.
Sukhu noted that reconstruction of disaster-damaged infrastructure would become a major challenge in the coming decades, with expenditure on disaster recovery likely to rise significantly by 2050. He stressed the adoption of modern technologies and innovative work practices to ensure sustainable development.
Expansion of PWD mandate
The chief minister also indicated that the government is considering expanding the traditional mandate of the PWD to include emerging sectors such as dam construction. During the event, he released the book "Quality Control for Road Works."
PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh highlighted capacity building, sustainability, and innovation as key priorities for the department.
