SHIMLA- 27 September, 2026

State government strengthens welfare measures for ex-servicemen and defence personnel

• State has a proud tradition of serving the Armed Forces: CM

The State Government has accorded high priority to the welfare of ex-servicemen, war widows, dependents of defence personnel, gallantry award winners and serving members of the Armed Forces. The Sainik Welfare Department has implemented various financial assistance schemes and welfare measures to provide social security, rehabilitation support and assistance to defence personnel and their families.

During the financial year 2025-26, financial assistance and grants of Rs. 17.09 crore have been provided under various welfare activities, benefiting 2,263 beneficiaries. Under the Old Age Pension Scheme, Rs. 6.13 crore has been provided to 968 beneficiaries. An amount of Rs. 3 crore has also been released to 1,084 gallantry award winners of the State in recognition of their distinguished service and acts of exceptional courage.

The Government has extended Rs. 7.62 crore to 57 dependents of defence personnel who were killed or disabled in action. Further, Rs. 20.83 lakh has been provided to 154 War-Jagir beneficiaries, while Rs. 6 lakh has been released to the Paraplegic Rehabilitation Centres at Pune and Mohali.

As an immediate assistance measure, Rs. 75,000 is provided to the Next of Kin (NOKs) of Armed Forces personnel who die during service. In addition, Rs. 6.74 lakh has been allocated for the maintenance of Sainik Welfare Buildings. These measures are aimed at providing timely support to defence personnel and their families during critical circumstances.

The State Government has also continued to support the recruitment of youth into the Armed Forces. During 2025-26, Rs. 2.28 crore has been sanctioned for organizing Army Recruitment Rallies in Kangra, Hamirpur, Mandi and Shimla districts. To strengthen training and preparatory facilities for Armed Forces aspirants, Rs. 10.26 crore has been provided for the Major Somnath Sharma Training Academy, Barchwar, Mandi, during the financial year 2025-26. The facility provides training and guidance to youth aspiring to join the Armed Forces.

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that the Armed Forces personnel have been making an invaluable contribution to the security and integrity of the Nation and the State Government remains committed to the welfare of the soldiers, ex-servicemen and their families. He said that every possible support would be extended to war widows, dependents of defence personnel, gallantry award winners and other eligible beneficiaries through effective implementation of welfare schemes.

The Chief Minister further said that Himachal Pradesh has a long and proud tradition of contributing to the Armed Forces, with the State's youth serving the nation with courage, discipline and dedication. He said that the Government would continue to strengthen welfare infrastructure, recruitment support and training facilities.

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Feature-State Government strengthening Himachal’s road infrastructure through safety, sustainability and technology

Under the leadership of Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, the Himachal Pradesh Government is taking several steps to improve the State’s road infrastructure. The focus is not only on building new roads but also on making existing roads safer, stronger and more reliable.

Roads are especially important in Himachal Pradesh because they connect remote villages with markets, hospitals, schools and other essential services. They also support agriculture, horticulture, industry and forestry. As of 31 August 2026, Himachal Pradesh has 41,903 kilometres of motorable roads connecting 15,608 census villages. Maintaining such a large road network in difficult mountainous terrain is a major challenge.

Water is one of the main causes of road damage in hilly areas. To address this problem, the State Government approved the Road Drainage Policy in February 2026. The policy gives greater importance to proper drainage during road planning and construction. Drainage systems will be designed according to rainfall and the nature of the surrounding area. Special attention will be given to places prone to landslides and water seepage. Steps are also being taken to prevent the misuse or blockage of road drains so that roads remain in better condition for longer.

The Government has also notified guidelines for jeepable and ambulance link roads. These guidelines provide common standards for the construction and maintenance of smaller roads connecting remote areas. These cover important aspects such as road width, pavement, drainage, retaining and breast walls, slope protection and road safety. Better standards for these roads will help remote communities get more dependable access to hospitals, markets and other essential services.

Building roads is only one part of the task. Protecting existing road infrastructure is equally important. The Himachal Pradesh Road Infrastructure Protection (Amendment) Bill, 2026, passed by the State Assembly in September, provides for digital and geo-coordinated mapping of road infrastructure. It also aims to improve enforcement and help in the faster restoration of damaged road assets.

Technology is being used to improve the way roads are managed. A centralized Road Status Information System is being planned to provide information about road closures, restoration work and connectivity, especially during the monsoon and other disasters.

The Works and Accounts Management Information System (WAMIS) is also being introduced. It will bring measurements, billing and other works and accounts-related activities onto a common digital platform. This can make the management of public works more efficient and improve access to information.

Road safety is another important priority. The Road Safety Audit Policy, approved in July 2026 provides for safety audits at different stages of road projects. This will help identify and correct safety problems during the design and construction stages, as well as on existing roads.

A dedicated Road Safety Cell is also being established at the Public Works Department headquarters to strengthen road safety arrangements. The Government is also working to make road repairs more systematic. A Standard Operating Procedure for patch work provides common guidelines for repairing potholes and damaged road surfaces. It specifies materials, methods and timelines and also fixes greater responsibility for timely repairs.

New technologies are being tested on a pilot basis. These include Cement Grouted Bituminous Macadam (CGBM) for stretches affected by drainage problems and CEMECO Technopatch-EX for patch repairs during the monsoon.

The State government is also exploring the use of underground multi-utility ducts. These ducts can carry water, electricity and telecommunications services through common corridors. This can reduce the need for repeated digging and cutting of roads for utility work, helping to protect road surfaces and reduce inconvenience to the public.

These measures show a shift from simply constructing more roads to managing the entire road network in a planned and preventive manner. Better drainage, stronger safety measures, digital monitoring, improved maintenance and modern technologies can help Himachal Pradesh build roads that are safer, more durable and better suited to its difficult mountain conditions.

The overall aim is to ensure that roads remain dependable throughout the year and continue to provide people across the State with better access to essential services, markets and economic opportunities.