Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi today to request increased central assistance, after recent cloudbursts and flash floods caused losses of over Rs 1,000 crore in the state.
Sukhu explained that heavy monsoon rains had caused widespread damage to roads, bridges, buildings, irrigation systems, water and power supplies. He said the state has suffered cumulative losses of around Rs 21,000 crore since 2023 due to recurring natural disasters.
He added that while the state is working hard to provide relief using SDRF and NDRF funds, it is becoming harder to rebuild with limited resources. Sukhu asked for changes to central guidelines, specifically raising the relief fund limit from 10% to 30%, to help in faster restoration.
Amit Shah assured full support and cooperation from the Centre.
Later, Sukhu also met Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari and discussed delays in national highway projects in Himachal. He requested faster repair of damaged roads and the inclusion of more roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gati Shakti Yojana.
Sukhu also stressed the need for tunnelling work in highway projects and asked for more ropeway projects to reduce traffic congestion in the hilly state. Gadkari assured the CM of all possible support and directed officials to take necessary action.
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