Himachal Pradesh's 12 pc villages have no road connection

Himachal Pradesh figures among the top states in terms of road connectivity, having around 88 per cent of its villages connected with roads despite its vast hilly terrain. Out of its total 18,412 villages, 16,147 have been connected with the road. However, 2,265 roads are yet to be connected with the road.

According to PWD officials, nearly all of these villages still unconnected with the road have a population less than 100. The officials further say that most of these habitats are not connected with the road as people are not willing to give land for the construction of the road. “The government does not acquire land in rural areas for the construction of roads. In most villages where the roads have not reached, it’s mainly because the people aren’t willing to offer land for the road,” said a PWD official.

For the construction of roads, especially for the roads under Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, people have to ‘gift deed’ the land to the government. Around 21,000 km long rural roads have been constructed under the PMGSY till date without acquiring land. “For the entire length of the PMGSY roads, people have given the land to the government,” said the PWD official.

Among all 12 districts, the most villages unconnected with the road fall in district Shimla. Out of the total 2808 villages, 600 villages are unconnected, with Chopal Assembly constituency having the most 228 villages without road. The second district with maximum villages without roads is Mandi. Out of the total 3,111 villages in the district, 528 are yet to be connected.