Row grows over delays in Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh highway project in Himachal Pradesh

Shimla: A political dispute has broken out in Himachal Pradesh over delays in the important Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh National Highway project. BJP Member of Parliament Suresh Kashyap has accused the Congress-led state government of slowing down development and causing serious delays in the project. The state government, however, has rejected the charges and said it has completed its responsibilities.

The highway project is considered very important for the region because it connects industrial and residential areas in Himachal Pradesh with neighbouring states. Once completed, the road is expected to improve travel time, transport movement and business activity in the Baddi-Nalagarh industrial belt.

Former Himachal BJP president and current MP Suresh Kashyap said the state government failed to provide land and required clearances on time. According to him, this created major problems during construction and forced authorities to stop progress.

Kashyap said information shared by the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways had exposed the reasons behind the delay. He claimed the project did not stop on its own, but because the state government failed to meet basic requirements.

He also said the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) had no option but to end the contract with the previous construction company after repeated hurdles.

According to Kashyap, the contractor did not abandon the project willingly. Instead, he alleged that delays in land handover and approvals made construction work impossible.

The BJP leader criticised the state government strongly and questioned its development record. He said if a government cannot even provide land for a major national highway, it raises concerns about how it can deliver larger development goals.

He praised the central government for taking steps to restart the project. Kashyap said fresh tenders had been initiated and maintenance agencies had been deployed to keep the existing road usable for the public.

The highway has remained a major issue because thousands of people use the route regularly. The road links Himachal Pradesh with Haryana and Punjab and is important for transport trucks, workers, businesses and local commuters.

The Baddi industrial area, one of the largest manufacturing zones in North India, depends heavily on road connectivity. Delays in road expansion can affect supply chains, travel costs and safety.

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BJP attacks, Congress responds

After Kashyap’s remarks, the Congress government responded quickly. Naresh Chauhan, principal media adviser to Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, said the BJP was making baseless accusations for political reasons.

Chauhan said the state government had already paid compensation for land acquisition and fulfilled its financial responsibility in the project.

He added that even Union Minister Nitin Gadkari had appreciated the state government’s work regarding land compensation and cooperation.

According to Chauhan, the contractor leaving the project had nothing to do with land acquisition. He said the state government’s role was mainly to provide funds for land purchase, and that work had already been completed.

The Congress leader said the BJP was trying to create confusion instead of focusing on solutions.

He argued that infrastructure projects often face technical, contractual and administrative issues, and it would be unfair to blame only the state government.

The exchange of accusations shows how major public projects often become political flashpoints, especially when delays affect people directly.

For residents and businesses, however, the main concern is not political blame but completion of the road at the earliest.

Many commuters have complained for years about traffic jams, damaged stretches and unsafe conditions on the route.

Industrial workers travelling daily between Pinjore, Baddi and Nalagarh often face long delays, especially during peak hours.

Truck operators and transporters have also said poor road conditions increase fuel costs and travel time.

Why the project matters

The Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh corridor is seen as one of the most strategic transport routes in the region.

Baddi is home to pharmaceutical, manufacturing, packaging and consumer goods industries. Better roads would help companies move raw materials and finished products faster.

Improved connectivity can also create jobs, attract fresh investment and support tourism in nearby hill regions.

For local families, a wider and safer highway would mean shorter travel times to schools, hospitals and markets.

Road safety is another major concern. Busy industrial traffic mixed with local vehicles often leads to congestion and accident risks.

Experts say that when highway projects get delayed, costs also rise sharply due to inflation, material prices and redesign requirements.

This means taxpayers may eventually pay more for the same project.

Fresh tenders and restarting work may take time, but many hope the next phase moves faster than before.

Citizens are now looking to both the Centre and the state government to work together rather than continue political arguments.

Large infrastructure projects usually require coordination between multiple agencies, including land departments, environment authorities, contractors and highway officials.

Without cooperation, even well-planned projects can face long delays.

People in the region say they have waited long enough. Their priority is a completed road, not a blame game.

Business owners believe smoother transport will strengthen the economy, while residents want safer and quicker travel.

The renewed public attention on the project may increase pressure on authorities to act faster.

If construction resumes soon and progress remains steady, the long-delayed highway could finally deliver the benefits people were promised years ago.

For now, the controversy continues, but so does the public demand for action.

The Pinjore-Baddi-Nalagarh National Highway remains more than just a road project. It is tied to jobs, trade, safety and regional growth. That is why every delay draws sharp reactions and why its completion remains a top priority for many in Himachal Pradesh and neighbouring areas.