Himachal Pradesh
Construction works include 55 road projects as well as five bridges. Credit: Karsten Würth on Unsplash.

The Government of Himachal Pradesh in India has reportedly resumed road construction works in the state after these were paused by the coronavirus lockdown.

According to an official familiar with the matter, the government has eased certain lockdown norms in the state to re-start construction works, creating new employment opportunities.

Public Works Department (PWD) Superintending Engineer Jagota responsible for project works in the Solan district said in a statement that road construction works began by following prescribed rules such as social distancing.

Jagota added that nearly 786 gained employment from this move, and are currently working across 80 sites.

The works include the construction of 55 road projects in Himachal Pradesh, as well as five bridges and 20 building construction works.

As part of the initiative, work on the Shamati bypass was started by officials, which upon completion is expected to ease Solan’s traffic problems and facilitate the farmers of Shimla, Solan and Sirmaur to carry their produce to markets.

12 projects are being carried out under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, while another ten are underway that are funded by India’s National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD).

Last month, work on around 70% of highway projects under construction in India resumed after the Indian Government partially lifted the Covid-19 lockdown for certain sectors.

The government allowed the resumption of work on 260 projects out of a total 375.

However, the highway project in Delhi-National Capital Region (NCR) continues to be on hold given that the area has reported 2,248 confirmed Covid-19 cases and 48 deaths.