SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh on Saturday launched a sharp attack on Mandi MP Kangana Ranaut over her recent comments on youth, termed her language unacceptable for an elected representative, and separately provided updates on road restoration and central fund approvals for the state.
Welcoming over 70 new members to the party at the state Congress headquarters, Rajiv Bhavan, in Shimla, Singh stated that hundreds of people are joining the party ideology under the ongoing ‘Sangathan Srijan Vistar’ campaign. He added that the party is constantly strengthening its base in the Shimla Rural assembly constituency. Speaking to the media, he praised the party ideology as being dedicated to the unity and development of the country and state.
Taking aim at Kangana Ranaut, Singh strongly condemned her recent statements, saying it was extremely unfortunate to use terms like “insects” (keede-makode) and “gutter-level” (gutter chhap) for the country’s youth. He questioned where an elected MP gets such language and sarcastically asked if she receives training for such words from a “WhatsApp University.”
Singh remarked that using such language against the youth and spewing venom at them goes against the dignity of a public representative. He highlighted the irony by pointing out that the very people referred to as “gutter-level” by the MP were seen attending a press conference alongside senior BJP leader and Union Minister JP Nadda. Ranaut had previously questioned the upbringing of youth in a social media comment addressing the Gen-Z behavior during student protests at Delhi’s Jantar Mantar.
Alongside the political salvo, the PWD Minister shared details regarding ongoing development and disaster relief efforts in Himachal Pradesh.
He informed that a total of 211 roads were blocked in the state due to heavy rainfall. The PWD deployed heavy machinery on a war footing to ensure public and commuter convenience, successfully targeting the restoration of 121 roads by the evening.
Detailing central approvals for road infrastructure, Singh announced that the state has received administrative sanction for ₹239.45 crore under CRIF 2026-27 from the Union Ministry of Road Transport. The funds will be utilized to upgrade two major road projects in the state.
Additionally, around ₹290 crore has been sanctioned for upgrading the Yashwantnagar-Rajgarh road, a crucial link for the apple-growing regions of Kotkhai, Jubbal, and Rohru. Singh noted that the route is essential for transporting apples and horticultural produce. The department has been directed to complete formal procedures quickly and initiate the tender process so construction can gather pace after the monsoon session. The project is expected to directly benefit apple growers and residents across 4 to 5 assembly constituencies.
Furthermore, nearly ₹60 crore has been approved for a road project in the Biradari region, alongside ₹50 crore sanctioned by the Centre for a previously left-out 16-kilometer road stretch.
