Himachal CM meets union ministers, seeks urgent relief and support for monsoon devastation in Mandi

TNR News Network
SHIMLA: Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu held a series of high-level meetings with top Union Ministers in New Delhi this week, seeking urgent central assistance following massive devastation caused by flash floods, cloudbursts and landslides across the state, particularly in Mandi district.

In his meeting with Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Tuesday (July 15, 2025), the Chief Minister revealed that the state had already suffered damages worth Rs 1,000 crore, even as the monsoon season had barely begun. Sukhu said that precious lives had been lost and critical infrastructure, including roads, bridges, buildings, irrigation systems, water supply lines and power infrastructure, had been severely impacted.

“Himachal has faced recurring natural disasters since 2023, with total estimated losses crossing Rs 21,000 crore over the past three years,” the Chief Minister said.

He requested liberal financial support for relief and restoration efforts and urged for amendments to the existing central guidelines governing disaster aid. Specifically, he proposed raising the relief cap from 10% to 30% of the total project cost, citing the difficult topography and mounting restoration challenges in the hill state.

Home Minister Amit Shah assured the Chief Minister of all possible support from the Centre.

CM seeks financial, aviation support in meetings with other ministers

On Monday, CM Sukhu also met Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, pressing for an increase in the state’s borrowing limit. He informed her of the financial burden caused by monsoon-induced destruction and emphasised the urgent need for funds to rebuild damaged infrastructure and support affected communities.

According to the State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), 105 people have lost their lives in Himachal Pradesh since June 20. Of these, 61 deaths were attributed to landslides, flash floods, cloudbursts, drowning, fire incidents and electrocution, while 44 lives were lost in road accidents, many of which were caused by slippery roads and poor visibility due to relentless rain.

The State Emergency Operations Centre (SEOC) also reported total damages exceeding Rs 784.6 crore across sectors including agriculture, power, education, animal husbandry and rural infrastructure.

Push for improved air connectivity, tourism boost

In a separate meeting with Union Civil Aviation Minister Kinjarapu Rammohan Naidu, the Chief Minister discussed ways to strengthen air connectivity in the hill state to support both tourism and disaster response.

Key requests made by CM Sukhu included construction of four new heliports, expansion of Shimla airport, including extended operational hours beyond 1 pm, permission for Dornier aircraft operations in Shimla following the model used in Northeast India, daily flight services on the Delhi-Shimla-Dharamshala route (currently operational only three times a week), night landing facilities at Dharamshala airport and special central assistance for the land acquisition process for Kangra airport expansion, which has been delayed due to high costs.

The Chief Minister highlighted that these upgrades would not only boost regional development and tourism, but also ensure faster emergency response during natural disasters. CM Sukhu reiterated that the issue of Kangra airport had already been raised with Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and requested continued support from the Ministry of Civil Aviation.