CM Sukhu pushes for 4-lane highway from Dhali to Rampur
Synopsis
Himachal Pradesh CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced positive discussions with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on a four-lane highway from Dhali to Rampur. The proposal is now in the survey stage, with tunnel construction to be prioritised to counter landslide risks and ensure all-weather connectivity.
Key Takeaways
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on 7 June 2026 that productive talks with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on a Dhali–Rampur four-lane highway have concluded positively.
The proposal has been formally included in the survey process , marking the first procedural step toward project sanction.
Tunnel construction will be prioritised in the project design to reduce landslide-related disruptions on the Himalayan corridor.
The corridor is part of National Highway 5 , a key artery connecting Shimla to Kinnaur and upper Himalayan valleys.
The project aligns with the Bharatmala Pariyojana , the central government's flagship highway upgrade programme covering over 34,000 km of roads.
Completion of the survey and preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) are the critical next milestones before funding can be sanctioned.
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday, 7 June 2026, announced that productive discussions have taken place with Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways Nitin Gadkari regarding the construction of a four-lane highway between Dhali and Rampur in Himachal Pradesh, with the proposal now formally included in the survey process.
Context
Posting on X, Chief Minister Sukhu stated in Hindi: 'ढली से रामपुर तक 4-लेन राजमार्ग निर्माण को लेकर सड़क परिवहन और राजमार्ग मंत्री श्री नितिन गडकरी जी से सकारात्मक चर्चा हो चुकी है' — ('Positive discussions have taken place with Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari regarding the construction of a four-lane highway from Dhali to Rampur.'). He added that the proposal has been included in the survey and that tunnel construction will be prioritised in the project to minimise damage from natural challenges such as landslides, ensuring safe, smooth, and uninterrupted movement for people.
The Dhali–Rampur corridor runs along the existing National Highway 5 stretch connecting Shimla to the upper Himalayan valleys. It is a critical artery for residents of Shimla district, travellers heading to Kinnaur, and commercial transporters serving the region.
Policy Backdrop
The proposed four-laning aligns with the Bharatmala Pariyojana, the national highway development programme approved in 2015 that targets upgrades across more than 34,000 km of highways, with a specific focus on all-weather connectivity in hilly states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Jammu and Kashmir.
India has consistently prioritised tunnel construction on Himalayan national highways as a structural response to recurring landslide and avalanche disruptions. The inclusion of tunnel components in this proposal reflects that established approach, with the central government channelling funding through the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
Chief Minister Sukhu, who has led the Indian National Congress government in Himachal Pradesh since December 2022, has pursued several central infrastructure linkages for the state, engaging directly with Union ministers on highway and connectivity projects.
Stakeholders and Impact
The Dhali–Rampur stretch is prone to seasonal landslides that frequently disrupt vehicular movement, cutting off communities in Kinnaur and higher valleys for days at a time. A four-lane highway with tunnels would reduce this vulnerability significantly and improve the reliability of supply chains and emergency access.
Residents of Shimla district, commercial transporters, and tourists travelling toward Kinnaur's apple orchards and border areas stand to benefit most directly. The project would also ease pressure on the existing two-lane road, which struggles to handle peak-season traffic volumes.
What's Next
The immediate next step is the completion of the survey in which the proposal has been included. Following that, a Detailed Project Report (DPR) will need to be prepared before the project can be sanctioned and funded. Observers will watch for any inclusion of this corridor in the next Union Budget allocation or in NHAI's annual works programme. The pace of the DPR and central approval process will determine when ground-level work can begin on what would be a significant infrastructure upgrade for the region.
Point of View
And it pre-empts opposition criticism that the Congress state government has failed to secure central infrastructure funds. By publicly attributing progress to a direct meeting with Nitin Gadkari, Sukhu frames himself as an effective interlocutor for Himachal's connectivity needs ahead of local political cycles. The emphasis on tunnels rather than conventional road-widening reflects a broader shift in Himalayan infrastructure policy — one driven as much by climate resilience as by engineering preference. Whether the project moves swiftly from survey to DPR to sanction will be the real test of this political momentum.
NationPress
7 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Dhali to Rampur 4-lane highway project in Himachal Pradesh?
It is a proposed four-lane national highway project connecting Dhali , near Shimla, to Rampur in Shimla district, aimed at replacing the existing two-lane stretch on NH-5 with a wider, tunnel-integrated road to ensure all-weather connectivity.
What did CM Sukhu say about the Dhali–Rampur highway?
CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that positive discussions have taken place with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari , the proposal has been included in the survey, and tunnel construction will be prioritised to reduce landslide damage.
Why are tunnels being prioritised in the Dhali–Rampur highway project?
Tunnels are being prioritised because the corridor is highly prone to landslides and other natural slope hazards that frequently cut off road access. Tunnels bypass unstable hillsides, providing safer and uninterrupted movement.
What is Bharatmala Pariyojana and how does this project relate to it?
Bharatmala Pariyojana is a central government highway development programme approved in 2015 targeting upgrades of over 34,000 km of roads, with emphasis on hilly states. The Dhali–Rampur four-laning aligns with its mandate for all-weather connectivity in Himachal Pradesh.
What are the next steps for the Dhali–Rampur highway project?
The immediate next step is completion of the survey in which the proposal has been included, followed by preparation of a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and eventual sanction and funding through NHAI or the Union Budget.
