Shimla, Nov. 18 -- The PWD and urban development minister of Himachal Pradesh, Vikramaditya Singh, has written to Union road transport and highways minister Nitin Gadkari, requesting an increase in the state's annual allocation under the Central Road and Infrastructure Fund (CRIF) and immediate release of pending dues to speed up restoration of rain-damaged roads.

In his communication, Vikramaditya informed Gadkari that although the Centre allocated Rs.143.77 crore to Himachal Pradesh for FY 2025-26 including Rs.120.63 crore for roads and Rs.23.14 crore for bridges under the Setu Bandhan scheme, the bridge-related funds have not yet been released despite the submission of utilisation certificates.

Singh further said the state had alread...