Infrastructure is the lifeline and
major means of communication in the predominantly hill State of Himachal
Pradesh. It includes efficient transportation system (roadways, railways,
airways and waterways) and suitable power network, mainly hydro-power.
All such infrastructural services aims to connect State with rest of the
country and improve the quality of life of the people. Accordingly, the
State Government has undertaken several infrastructural projects to attract
investors the world over.
Roadways
Out of the State's 55,673 sq. km area,
36,700 km is inhabited and its 16,807 inhabited villages are scattered
over slopes of numerous hill ranges and valleys. Realising the importance
of construction of roads for connecting production areas with market centres,
Himachal Pradesh Government has proposed to connect every panchayat with
roads in the coming years.
Railways
The State of Himachal Pradesh is well
connected through an efficient rail network. The rail heads in the State
are Kalka, Pathankot and Una.
Aviation
Himachal Pradesh is well-linked with
other States/ cities of India through reliable air services. There are
three airports in the State, namely, Shimla at Jubbar Hatti, Kangra at
Gaggal and Kullu at Bhuntar.
Waterways
Since there are no big water bodies
in the State, water transport is mainly confined to the small artificial
lakes created due to the hydroelectric projects. Currently, there are
four major water bodies where water transport activities are being carried
out. These are Govind Sagar Lake in Bilaspur district, Pandoh lake in
Mandi district, Pong lake in Kangra district and Chamera lake in Chamba
district.
Power
Himachal Pradesh has immense hydro-potential
in its five river basins. Chenab, Rabi, Beas, Satluj and Yamuna which
emanates from the western Himalayas passes through the State. The total
identified potential in the State stands at 21000 M.W, which is one fourth
of India’s total hydro-power potential. Out of this, 6,067 M.W has
already been harnessed by various agencies. Projects aggregating to 7,602
M.W are under execution. It is projected that State will have about 11,000
M.W actualised potential by the end of 11th Plan.
Thus, the State is speedily moving towards
being a 'power State' of the Country. All the census villages in the State
have been electrified and now left out hamlets are being covered.
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