Initiative to increase CRIF funds for road projects in Himachal

March 23, 2026

The Himachal Pradesh government has intensified efforts to increase the state’s share under the Central Road Infrastructure Fund (CRIF). Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stated in his budget speech that continuous discussions are underway with the central government in this regard.

More than 200 projects approved

As of January 2026, 201 projects have been approved under CRIF, with a total cost of approximately ₹2691.57 crore. Of these, 157 projects have been completed, while 33 are still under construction.

Emphasis on bridge construction too

The Setu Bandhan Yojana includes four bridge projects, for which approximately ₹231.29 crore has been approved as of January 2026. In February, an additional ₹21.07 crore was received for bridge construction.

High Spending, Low Funding

According to data, ₹1575.04 crore has been spent on these projects as of November 2025, while only ₹1457.23 crore has been received from the central government. Completing the projects with the available funds remains a challenge.

The Chief Minister has already met with Union Minister Nitin Gadkari on this issue, where in-principle approval of ₹200 crore was granted for the Chhaila-Ochghat road project.