NHAI starts work on Shimla Mataur NH project

11 Apr 2023 CW Team

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has begun construction on NH-88, popularly known as the Shimla-Mataur national highway project, a four-lane road for Rs 10,000 crore. This project's completion would result in a safer and speedier route between Shimla and seven lower Himachal districts, including Solan, Mandi, Hamirpur, Bilaspur, Chamba, Kangra, and Una.

The current section, which connects Shalghat near Shimla to Nauni Chowk in Bilaspur, is the most dangerous, and the full four-lane project has been divided into six packages. Shimla to Shalaghat stretch is included in Package 1, followed by Shalaghat to Nauni Chowk Bilaspur (Package 2), Bhager to Hamirpur (Package 3), Hamirpur bypass (Package 4A), Hamirpur bypass from Cheelbahal to Bhangwar (Package 4) and Bhangwar to Kangra (Package 5). (package-5B).

Land purchase has already cost Rs 650 crore for all six packages, and Rs 3,208.53 crore has been approved for packages 5B, 4, and 4A. Work on the Bhangwar-Kangra section has already begun, and it is expected to be completed by the end of next year. The comprehensive project studies for the Bhager to Hamirpur and Shimla to Shalaghat portions are being developed on a war footing, and the construction work will be granted to the winning bidder once they are completed.

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