Growers in the valley say the fruit has set well, though they want faster transport to mandis during harvest.

Officials in Shimla said the work will be taken up in phases, with the first stretch to be completed before the next tourist season. Departments have been asked to file weekly progress reports.

What happens next

Local residents welcomed the announcement. Many said they had been asking the administration for a firm timeline since last winter, and hoped the promised budget would reach the ground.

Experts cautioned that in the hills, execution matters more than announcements: slope stability, drainage and a realistic monsoon plan decide whether a project lasts.