Himachal Pradesh Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri met Union Minister for Water Resources C.R. Patil in Delhi and apprised him of the significant damage suffered by the state’s Jal Shakti Vibhag, estimating losses of approximately ₹4,000 crore over the past three years due to recurring natural disasters.
Highlighting the gravity of the situation, Agnihotri informed that the department alone has faced losses of ₹1,291.51 crore in the current year. He urged the Centre to immediately release ₹1,227 crore under the Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) for the timely completion of ongoing schemes, which are critical for ensuring water supply in affected areas.
The Deputy CM also advocated for relaxation of norms under the Post Disaster Need Assessment (PDNA) framework to fast-track restoration works and called for prompt release of funds under PMKSY for ongoing irrigation projects. He emphasized that the Beas River, due to its proximity to key infrastructure such as the Kullu-Manali Airport and Chandigarh-Leh Highway, requires urgent channelization. A ₹1,795 crore DPR prepared with support from CWPRS was submitted for this purpose.
Agnihotri pointed out that although ₹697 crore was approved for the water supply sector in 2023, only ₹100 crore has been disbursed so far, despite reported damages worth ₹2,132.70 crore that year alone. He stressed that this shortfall is hindering critical restoration efforts.
He further requested the Union Minister’s support for early approval of a ₹97.78 crore scheme for modernization of the Command Area Development in Una’s Haroli block, as well as the release of funds for 11 already approved flood protection projects.
Union Minister Patil assured that the demands would be considered sympathetically and that financial support for public-interest projects would be prioritized.
