Shimla, Nov. 19 -- 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 and immediate release of pending dues to speed up restoration of rain-damaged roads. In his communication, Vikramaditya informed Gadkari that although Centre allocated Rs.143.77 crore to Himachal 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 already spent Rs.1,551.64 crore on CRIF works up to September 2025 and corresponding utilisation certificates had been submitted. However, only Rs.1,457.23 crore has been released so far, leaving Rs.94.41 crore still due from the ministry. Singh emphasised that unprecedented monsoon damage this year had severely affected road infrastructure. With the state budgeting Rs.200 crore for CRIF works in the current financial year and already spending Rs.54.75 crore by September, the minister warned that restoration efforts require significantly higher central support. htc...