Himachal CM reviews disaster recovery project with World Bank team

Himachal Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today reviewed the Rs 2,687-crore Himachal Pradesh Resilient Action for Development and Disaster Recovery (HP-READY) project, which is scheduled to be rolled out in January, 2026.

The Chief Minister chaired a meeting with senior officers of the World Bank. He said that Himachal Pradesh had been increasingly witnessing the adverse effects of climate change, which had resulted in a significant loss of human lives and damage to critical infrastructure. He added that frequent natural disasters had compelled the state government to divert substantial resources towards the restoration of damaged infrastructure.

Sukhu said that in strategic collaboration with the World Bank, the state government was implementing this major initiative for disaster recovery and several priority projects had already been identified. The total cost of the project is Rs 2,687 crore. He added that the mission was not only crucial for making good the losses caused by disasters between 2023 and 2025, but also for strengthening and rebuilding infrastructure in the state to withstand future calamities.

The Chief Minister said that the aim of the HP-READY project was to improve early warning systems, restore damaged infrastructure such as roads, bridges and buildings, and channel rivulets. It would also focus on developing resilient public services, promoting livelihood opportunities through initiatives like "green panchayats" and strengthening risk-informed social safety and insurance mechanisms.

The Chief Minister emphasised the importance of building infrastructure that supported farmers and horticulturists, ensuring their livelihoods remain secure even during disasters. He added that under this project, controlled atmosphere (CA) stores would be established at 10 locations in the state to help farmers preserve their produce and prevent financial losses during adverse conditions.

Additional Chief Secretary (Revenue) KK Pant, Special Secretary DC Rana, World Bank team leader for the project Anoop Karanth and Disaster Management specialists Vijay and Sheena Arora attended the meeting.