Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday, 24 June 2026, announced the sanction of ₹137.40 crore for the widening of the Chail-Chauk-Janjehli road in the Saraj assembly constituency of Mandi district, describing it as a result of the state government's sustained efforts to improve connectivity in the region. He also announced an additional ₹60 lakh for the strengthening of other key roads in the constituency.

Context

Posting in Hindi on X, CM Sukhu stated: 'मंडी जिला के सराज विधानसभा क्षेत्र में राज्य सरकार के सतत प्रयासों से चैल-चौक-जंजैहली सड़क के चौड़ीकरण हेतु 137.40 करोड़ रुपये स्वीकृत हुए हैं' — ['Through the sustained efforts of the state government in the Saraj assembly constituency of Mandi district, ₹137.40 crore has been sanctioned for the widening of the Chail-Chauk-Janjehli road.']. He added that the project would bring 'new momentum and strength' to the area's traffic and connectivity infrastructure, and reaffirmed the government's commitment to making the road network in Saraj accessible and robust for all.

Policy Backdrop

Mandi district, situated in the central reaches of Himachal Pradesh, is characterised by difficult hilly terrain where road connectivity is the lifeline for remote valleys. The Saraj constituency — covering areas including Chauk and Janjehli — has historically faced limited road infrastructure, making it vulnerable to seasonal disruptions caused by snowfall and landslides.

Himachal Pradesh governments have periodically funded road widening and strengthening projects through the state Public Works Department (PWD) budget, supplementing central schemes such as the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY). Hill states across India have long prioritised arterial road upgrades to connect interior zones to national highways and ensure year-round accessibility.

Stakeholders and Impact

The primary beneficiaries of the Chail-Chauk-Janjehli widening project are the residents of the Saraj region, local transporters, and apple growers who depend on functional roads to move produce to markets during the harvest season. Wider, better-maintained roads reduce transit times and vehicle damage on the narrow mountain routes, directly affecting farm incomes and daily commutes.

The additional ₹60 lakh allocation for other roads in the constituency signals a broader push to address multiple connectivity gaps simultaneously, rather than focusing resources on a single arterial route.

What's Next

Attention will now turn to the tendering and physical execution of the Chail-Chauk-Janjehli widening under the state PWD budget. Stakeholders and local representatives are likely to watch closely for timelines on ground-breaking and contractor appointment, particularly given the region's narrow construction windows between monsoon and winter snowfall. Any supplementary allocations in the next Himachal Pradesh budget session could further signal the government's infrastructure priorities for the Mandi belt.