Shimla, Sept. 26 -- The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has strongly refuted reports alleging irregularities in obtaining forest clearances for national highway projects in Himachal Pradesh, calling them "misleading and factually incorrect."

In a press note issued on September 24, NHAI clarified that all construction works in the state, including the much-debated Shimla Bypass project, are being carried out strictly after obtaining due approvals from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) and the Himachal Pradesh Government.

"The construction activities under NHAI in Himachal Pradesh are carried out after taking due permission from the concerned authorities. No illegal activities have been undertake...