Recent events in Himachal Pradesh have sparked controversy and drawn attention to the relationship between state officials and national infrastructure authorities. A Congress MLA staged a dharna (protest) following what he perceived as a snub by the Project Director of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).

While details surrounding the specific grievances that led to the protest are still emerging, this incident underscores a broader tension that has been brewing in the state. It also comes against the backdrop of a recent incident involving alleged assault of NHAI officials by a Himachal minister.

In late June 2025, Himachal Pradesh Minister Anirudh Singh was accused of attacking an NHAI manager and engineer during a site inspection in Shimla. The incident reportedly occurred after a five-story building collapsed near a highway construction site. Achal Jindal, the NHAI manager, alleged that the minister physically assaulted him and his colleague, Yogesh, after Jindal provided information about the building collapse. Jindal claimed the minister used abusive language and then beat them in a room, causing him head injuries. He was hospitalized after the incident.

The incident drew immediate condemnation. Union Minister for Highways Nitin Gadkari called the assault "deeply reprehensible and an affront to the rule of law". The NHAI Chairman, Santosh Kumar Yadav, also expressed deep concern, writing to the Himachal Pradesh Chief Secretary and demanding a thorough inquiry and legal consequences for those responsible. Yadav warned that such incidents could demoralize NHAI officials and affect the progress of 17 National Highway projects in the state, worth an estimated Rs 23,729 crore. The NHAI Engineers Association (NEA) also condemned the attack, calling it unacceptable and demanding action against the accused.

Following the alleged assault, an FIR was filed against Anirudh Singh at the Dhalli police station in Shimla. The FIR also included charges against six others.

These events raise concerns about the working environment for officials involved in national highway projects in Himachal Pradesh. The NHAI has emphasized the need to ensure the safety and security of its officials so that the highway projects in Himachal Pradesh are not affected.