Himachal govt seeks Rs 10,000 crore from Centre for development projects
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Himachal Pradesh has requested a budget allocation of Rs 10,000 crore from the central government for various development projects.
State Industries Minister Harshvardhan Singh Chauhan raised the demand during a pre-budget meeting in New Delhi last Saturday with Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.
Among the key demands, the minister has sought Rs 3,500 crore for the expansion of Kangra airport. The proposed expansion aims to increase the runway length from the current 1,370 metres to 3,100 metres.
The state has also requested funds to cover additional formalities, including land acquisition and construction expenses.
In addition, the state has asked for Rs 3,000 crore to compensate for the natural calamity that struck Himachal Pradesh last year.
Despite recommendations from central teams to assess the damage, the compensation has not yet been received. Chouhan emphasised the urgency of this appeal to address the lingering effects of the disaster.
Further, the state has requested Rs 500 crore for the construction of 10 new CA cold stores for fruits, vegetables and other products.
These cold stores are expected to regulate crop arrivals in the market, ensuring farmers and gardeners receive fair prices for their produce.
An additional Rs 500 crore has been sought to establish sewage treatment plants in riverside cities, in compliance with National Green Tribunal orders.
These plants aim to enhance environmental sustainability and improve public health by managing sewage more effectively.
Issues specific to Himachal Pradesh were prominently raised during the pre-budget meeting.
“It is expected that in the upcoming budget, the central government will show generosity on these issues related to the interests of the state,” said Chauhan.
The state has also urged the central government to declare the strategically important Bhanupalli-Leh rail line project a national project.
Chauhan highlighted that Himachal Pradesh cannot bear the cost of this project alone. Given its strategic significance, reaching the China border, he argued that the central government should fund it.
Due to the challenging geographical terrain of the state, there is a demand to connect remote areas via ropeways in addition to roads.
Therefore, the state has requested the inclusion of ropeway projects in the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY).
