CM Sukhu in Delhi to Seek Central Aid for Rain-Hit Himachal
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu is on Sunday reached New Delhi to meet Union Ministers Nirmala Sitharaman and Nitin Gadkari, seeking urgent financial assistance and policy support in the wake of devastating monsoon rains that have caused widespread destruction across the hill state. His meetings, scheduled for Monday, are aimed at sensitizing the Centre to the extent of the damage and advocating for enhanced financial support, including the relaxation of borrowing limits.
According to sources, Sukhu will meet Union Road Transport and Highways Minister Nitin Gadkari at 2:30 pm to apprise him of the difficulties being faced by residents due to ongoing four-laning and National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) projects. Many locals have raised concerns over land damage and inadequate compensation, especially in the Mandi region. Later in the day, Sukhu will meet Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman to urge the Centre to enhance the state's borrowing ceiling and extend special financial assistance, given the compounded fiscal challenges faced by Himachal after the cessation of GST compensation and this year’s unprecedented monsoon fury.
The Chief Minister is also expected to raise the issue of special central aid for disaster relief, arguing that the extent of losses caused by cloudbursts, landslides, and flash floods justifies extraordinary financial intervention. The state’s financial position has been under strain, and the recent natural calamity has further amplified the burden on the exchequer.
Following his return from Delhi, the state Cabinet is expected to convene a crucial meeting in the last week of July. Official sources indicated that the date of the Cabinet meeting will be finalized only after the Chief Minister’s discussions with the Central Ministers conclude.
A comprehensive proposal for a special relief package for the rain-affected areas will be presented during the Cabinet meeting by Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi. The proposal aimed at providing structured and targeted assistance to the worst-hit zones, especially parts of Mandi district, including Thunag and Janjehli, where the damage from landslides and road collapses has been particularly severe. Sukhu has already announced the state’s intent to provide a relief package for these areas.
In addition, the State Government is contemplating stricter controls on construction activities near riverbanks, seasonal nullahs (streams), and khads (mountain drains). A policy decision to restrict construction within 100 to 150 meters of such water bodies is likely to be taken in the Cabinet meeting. This step is being considered to mitigate repeated monsoon-related disasters, which have become a recurring threat to human lives and infrastructure.
Meanwhile, preparations are also underway for the Monsoon Session of the Himachal Pradesh Assembly, tentatively scheduled for August. The Cabinet may also finalize the dates and duration of the session, which is expected to feature discussions on disaster management, financial constraints, and development bottlenecks.
The situation in Himachal Pradesh has been alarming since the onset of the monsoon. With repeated incidents of cloudbursts, heavy rainfall, and landslides across the mid and higher hills, many roads, bridges, and houses have been damaged or washed away. The state’s infrastructure, particularly in districts like Kullu, Mandi, Shimla, and Solan, has suffered heavy losses.
