Speaker lays stone for college building, other projects
Himachal Pradesh Assembly Speaker Kuldeep Singh Pathania on Monday laid the foundation stone for the new building of Government College, Sihunta, which will be constructed at a cost of Rs 8.68 crore. He also performed the ground-breaking ceremony for a Rs 68.22 lakh link road project from Dehra Khad to Kalyana.
Addressing public gatherings, Pathania reiterated the state government’s commitment to comprehensive and balanced rural development, emphasising the strides made in education, infrastructure, and healthcare in Bhattiyat over the past two years.
The new college building, scheduled for completion by September 2026, is expected to significantly enhance the region’s education infrastructure. Plans are also underway to introduce postgraduate courses at the college, providing further opportunities for students. The Assembly Speaker directed officials from the Public Works Department to ensure that construction projects are completed on time and instructed the cancellation of tenders for works delayed unnecessarily.
Pathania announced several upcoming projects in Sihunta, including the construction of a Rs 32 crore sewerage system, a mini secretariat, a rest house and a stadium. He noted that Rs 52.34 crore is being invested to upgrade the Sihunta-Laharu road to a double-lane road. Additional road projects include Rs 68.22 lakh for the Dehra Khad-Kalyana road, Rs 18.75 crore for landslide mitigation on the Samot-Daram Nala road, Rs 6.17 crore for the Tundi-Dharoon road, and approximately Rs 88-89 lakh for various other roads in the region.
Pathania highlighted the recent commencement of 21 rural road projects in the constituency and announced plans for 150 more roads to improve connectivity.
The Assembly Speaker stated that the state government has earmarked Rs 1,000 crore for development projects in Bhattiyat during its current term. Over the past two years, Rs 300 crore worth of projects have been initiated and additional projects amounting to Rs 150 crore are set to begin in the coming 18 months.
Focusing on Sihunta’s potential for organic farming and horticulture, Pathania revealed plans to establish research sub-centres to train farmers in organic farming techniques. He also announced the establishment of a state-level butterfly park to boost tourism in the region. The park is expected to attract visitors, creating employment opportunities for local residents.
In the afternoon, Pathania participated in the Lohri celebrations organised by the Shiv Dayal Temple Committee in Sihunta. During the event, he announced a donation of Rs 51,000 for the temple committee. Concluding his visit, he extended Lohri and Makar Sankranti greetings to the residents and listened to public grievances, directing officials to resolve them promptly.
