SHIMLA, July 2— Himachal Pradesh Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh on Wednesday firmly denied allegations that he assaulted two National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) officers during a site visit in Shimla, and instead levelled serious charges of “widespread irregularities” in road construction across the hill state. Singh announced his intent to meet Union Road Transport Minister Nitin Gadkari to demand a high-level inquiry.
Speaking to the media in Shimla, the minister said, “I deny all allegations. The investigations are underway and I don’t want to comment further. This FIR is an attempt to cover up negligence and divert attention.”
Singh has been booked under multiple sections of the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita at Dhalli police station on a complaint filed by NHAI’s technical manager Achal Jindal, who accused the minister of physically assaulting and verbally abusing him and fellow engineer Yogesh during a visit to Bhattakufer — the site of a five-storey building collapse near a national highway expansion project.
The FIR, registered under Sections 132, 121(1), 352, 126(2), and 3(5) of the BNS, has triggered a political firestorm in the state, with opposition leaders accusing the Congress-led Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu government of lawlessness. Union minister Nitin Gadkari condemned the alleged assault as “heinous” and called CM Sukhu to demand swift action.
Turning the spotlight back on the NHAI, Singh claimed, “The authority is digging beyond acquired land and using substandard material. Reckless slope cutting has caused not just the Bhattakufer collapse on June 30 but also the damage and evacuation of eight more buildings.”
He cited over 700 complaints filed in Shimla district alone against NHAI with SDMs and deputy commissioners. “Despite repeated grievances, no tangible action has been taken. It shows a complete failure of the system,” Singh said.
Raising concerns about the hybrid annuity model used in national highway construction—where 40% of funding comes from the Centre and 60% from private contractors—Singh alleged that many contractors complete minimal work and later abandon projects while continuing to claim maintenance payments for up to three years.
The minister pointed to unsafe construction techniques across Shimla-Parwanoo, Mandi, Kangra, and Jogindernagar, saying, “Steep, near-vertical slope cutting and retaining walls as low as 8 to 10 feet are being used. It’s structurally dangerous and has led to repeated landslides, building collapses, and loss of life and property.”
He further demanded that the central government formulate a national policy to address the relief and rehabilitation needs of citizens affected by highway construction projects. “Building roads is necessary, but turning a blind eye to the destruction of people’s homes and lives is unacceptable,” he said.
The minister reiterated that he would soon seek an audience with Gadkari to press for a full-fledged inquiry into what he called a “deeply flawed and dangerous system.”
Read more: Himachal Minister Booked for Assaulting NHAI Officer
