State road connectivity is critical to achieving balanced regional development. Recognising the importance of these roads in facilitating trade, improving access to healthcare, education and markets, and enhancing connectivity, the centre has continued to prioritise state and rural road development via policy support and financial assistance. Meanwhile, many state governments are undertaking initiatives to expand, upgrade and modernise their road networks.
At a recent India Infrastructure conference, key industry leaders from the Uttar Pradesh Public Works Department (UPPWD) and the Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (HPPWD) discussed state-level progress, emerging priorities, the adoption of advanced construction technologies and future targets for their states. Key takeaways from the discussion…
Established in 1854, UPPWD is responsible for the development and maintenance of roads, bridges and buildings across the state. To streamline large-scale infrastructure development, UPPWD operates two key public sector undertakings – UP State Bridge Corporation and Uttar Pradesh Rajkiya Nirman Nigam Limited. Managing road infrastructure in Uttar Pradesh involves operating at a massive scale, given the state’s large population, which exceeded 200 million (as per the 2011 census). Therefore, the department’s mandate extends beyond state-level assets to include the implementation of key initiatives such as national highway construction and the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), while ensuring strict adherence to quality standards.
In contrast, road development in Himachal Pradesh is shaped by a different set of challenges, primarily arising from its difficult terrain and environmental vulnerability. High seismicity, fragile geological formations, unpredictable weather patterns and steep mountainous terrain make road development particularly complex. The state frequently experiences severe natural calamities that damage critical roads across regions such as Chamba, Kinnaur, Shimla and Kangra. Addressing these challenges is especially demanding given the state’s constrained internal revenue model and limited financial resources. Despite these constraints, Himachal Pradesh has successfully expanded its road network over time. Having attained an extensive level of connectivity now, the state’s strategic focus is now gradually shifting from new road construction towards the long-term maintenance and strengthening of the existing network.
Current network and portfolio
Uttar Pradesh comprises 75 districts, 351 tehsils and 826 blocks, encompassing more than 100,000 villages. Given this vast scale, establishing comprehensive state and rural connectivity has remained a key objective for UPPWD. In line with this objective, a significant milestone has been achieved with all villages having a population exceeding 250 now connected through all-weather roads. The state has also undertaken several complementary infrastructure initiatives, including the development of bypasses, ring roads and flyovers to improve traffic movement and regional connectivity. The scale of Uttar Pradesh’s road infrastructure is reflected in its extensive network, which comprises 194,018.31 km of village roads, 56,929.38 km of other district roads, 6,446.28 km of major district roads, 10,168.25 km of state highways, 11,998.95 km of UPPWD, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and PIU Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) roads, and 1,624.49 km of expressways.
Similarly, Himachal Pradesh has prioritised connectivity enhancement, particularly in rural and remote regions. Under the PMGSY, rural connectivity has been significantly strengthened, benefiting 4,192 habitations through the construction of over 14,502 km of roads, involving a total capital deployment of approximately Rs 85.62 billion. Further infrastructure expansion through the NABARD Rural Infrastructure Development Fund (RIDF) includes 2,259 sanctioned schemes, of which 1,886 have been fully completed, representing a capital expenditure of Rs 56.14 billion. In addition, regional and external connectivity has been reinforced through the completion of approximately 197 state projects under the Central Road Fund (CRF), along with eight interstate projects under the interstate connectivity (ISC) scheme. Overall, the road network in the state has expanded to over 41,000 km, of which 35,000 km is metalled roads, achieving a commendable road density of approximately 75 km per 100 square km.
Deploying digital technologies for robust asset maintenance
To ensure robust road maintenance and timely project monitoring, UPPWD has adopted a comprehensive digital governance framework supported by nine integrated software applications. Contract management and financial processing have been digitised through the online electronic measurement book (EMB) billing portal, which replaces physical measurement books by enabling junior engineers to directly record field measurements into the system. These records are subsequently processed through the Chanakya portal, which also incorporates a bid capacity proposal feature to automatically assess contractors based on their ongoing works before processing payments. Financial and technical oversight is further strengthened through the Vishwakarma portal, a dedicated monitoring platform used for raising project funding demands and executing disbursements. To improve asset management, the Srishti 1.0 road asset management portal digitally maps departmental infrastructure ranging from state highways to village roads, while comprehensive mapping of major and minor bridges is currently under way. Estimator software has also been introduced to minimise physical paperwork by mandating the online submission of project estimates. In addition, coordination with public and commercial utilities has been streamlined through a dedicated road cutting permission portal for oil and optical fibre companies, alongside a fuel pump portal developed for the efficient issuance of no objection certificates.
Further strengthening quality assurance, the department has deployed an advanced geofencing portal for real-time quality control. The system creates a virtual perimeter around project sites, requiring contractors, junior engineers and assistant engineers to be physically present within the designated area to log mandatory field tests. Importantly, this quality assurance platform is fully integrated with both the EMB and Chanakya portals, ensuring that contractor payments remain contingent upon verified on-site quality compliance.
Similarly, HPPWD has adopted several technology-driven monitoring mechanisms to improve operational efficiency and project oversight. Operational data and grievance redressal are integrated into the Chief Minister Dashboard, a centralised platform used for performance monitoring and public complaint resolution. For rural infrastructure projects, the department utilises the online management, monitoring and accounting system and the electronic Maintenance of Rural Roads under PMGSY (eMARG) portal, while the ePWD platform facilitates departmental permissions and reservations.
Further advancing its digital transformation efforts, HPPWD is collaborating with the Centre for Development of Advanced Computing (C-DAC) to implement the Works and Accounts Management Information System. This integrated platform is being developed to consolidate all state building and roadwork operations by bringing together project execution and accounting functions within a single system. At present, the platform includes operational modules for accounts and user management, real-time work monitoring, and the phased implementation of the EMB.
Overcoming challenges plaguing state road development
UPPWD faces several administrative, technical and environmental challenges during project execution, including land acquisition, utility shifting, complex soil and geotechnical conditions, and drainage management. In addition, maintaining stringent material and quality control standards, managing weather-related constraints, ensuring precise design planning, and implementing effective traffic management continue to pose operational challenges. Project execution is also heavily dependent on obtaining timely regulatory clearances. Despite these constraints, UPPWD remains focused on enhancing road safety and has invested approximately Rs 3.5 billion in safety initiatives.
Similarly, road development in Himachal Pradesh is constrained by geographical and institutional challenges. Geological instabilities, severe weather conditions, specialised skill shortages and persistent labour deficits remain some of the key impediments to road development in the state. Further, systemic issues related to land acquisition and funding remain external constraints beyond the department’s direct control.
Addressing these challenges is essential for enabling long-term structural transformation in the sector. In response to the widespread landslide damage caused by Himachal Pradesh’s fragile geology and increasingly unpredictable climatic conditions, the state has secured Rs 26.87 billion in funding from the World Bank. This funding is being utilised not merely for conventional repairs, but for the comprehensive reconstruction of disaster-damaged critical infrastructure with enhanced climate resilience. The initiative adopts an integrated approach by combining infrastructure recovery with institutional capacity building, agricultural support and long-term environmental sustainability measures.
Future plans and targets
To address the structural imbalance arising from Uttar Pradesh’s major road corridors predominantly running in the east-west direction, the state government has recently initiated the development of a strategic north-south corridor network. Under this initiative, six key routes traversing the state from north to south or south to east have been identified, with their feasibility currently under evaluation across economic, technical, social and environmental parameters.
The first proposed route is the Ikauna (Sravasti)-Ayodhya-Sultanpur-Prayagraj corridor, which requires a tentative capital expenditure of approximately Rs 1.5 billion by the state PWD for a 25 km upgradation. The second corridor, connecting Kushinagar-Deoria-Dohrighat-Ghazipur-Zamania, is estimated to cost around Rs 3.42 billion. The third proposed route, stretching from Pipari (India-Nepal border)-Bansi (Siddharthnagar)-Prayagraj, involves a tentative expenditure of Rs 6.42 billion by the state PWD for 107 km and an additional Rs 7.38 billion by MoRTH/NHAI for 123 km.
Similarly, the fourth route Lakhimpur-Sitapur (Lucknow)-Nawabganj-Banda, is expected to involve an estimated Rs 2.76 billion from the state PWD for 46 km, along with Rs 1.32 billion from MoRTH/NHAI for 22 km. The fifth proposed corridor, Bareilly-Agra-Jhansi-Lalitpur, is projected to cost approximately Rs 3.54 billion under MoRTH/NHAI for a 59 km upgradation. Lastly, the Mustafabad (Pilibhit Tiger Reserve)-Shahjahanpur-Orai-Harpalpur corridor requires around Rs 5.28 billion from the state PWD for an 88 km upgradation, complemented by nearly Rs 6.6 billion from MoRTH/NHAI for an additional 110 km.
Through these projects, Uttar Pradesh aims to establish a more balanced and integrated highway grid to strengthen regional mobility and economic connectivity across the state.
Concurrently, Himachal Pradesh has focused its efforts on strengthening infrastructure resilience and disaster preparedness. The state has secured additional funding under the Himachal Pradesh Disaster Risk Reduction and Preparedness Program, which seeks to enhance institutional readiness and procure specialised equipment required for rapid infrastructure rehabilitation. As part of this initiative, a dedicated centre is being established to house a specialised Slope Stabilisation and Resilient Construction Cell. This facility will provide technical guidance for managing chronic landslide-prone zones while integrating advanced quality management and maintenance monitoring modules into the broader infrastructure system. Through these interventions, the state aims to achieve complete rural accessibility and strengthen long-term network resilience.
Further, the department continues to maintain a strong focus on quality control and the development of a safe transit environment aimed at minimising accidents along high-altitude corridors. To strengthen in-house technical expertise, a comprehensive training programme has been launched for engineering personnel. Notably, over 80 engineers have recently undergone specialised training in slope stabilisation techniques across Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. These efforts collectively underscore the state’s commitment to building a resilient and self-sustaining infrastructure network capable of withstanding future environmental and climatic challenges.
