Modi to Visit Kangra Today; State Looks to Him for Special Relief Package

Prime Minister to Conduct Aerial Survey of Disaster-Affected Areas: Chief Minister

Himachal Pradesh is hopeful of receiving a special financial assistance package from the central government during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Kangra scheduled for tomorrow.

The Prime Minister is set not only to conduct an aerial survey of disaster-hit areas in the state but also to meet with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and senior officials to assess the damage caused by the heavy monsoon rains over the past three months. Former Chief Minister and Leader of the Opposition, Jai Ram Thakur, will also attend the meeting.

Speaking to the media today, Chief Minister Sukhu said, “It is natural that when the Prime Minister visits a state, both the government and the people have high expectations. I am hopeful that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will announce a special relief package to support Himachal in dealing with the devastation caused by the torrential rains.”

He added that the state government and the legislature have requested the central government to declare the monsoon-related damage a national disaster in order to receive generous support for relief and rehabilitation. All seven BJP MPs from the state had also met with Union Home Minister Amit Shah to press for special assistance for Himachal.

Sukhu stated that the Prime Minister’s aerial survey will give him an accurate understanding of the scale of the damage. “A detailed presentation on the unprecedented destruction caused by the rains will be shared with the Prime Minister, enabling the central government to provide the necessary relief,” he added.

The Chief Minister further revealed that the state has already suffered over ₹5,000 crore in damages, with the worst hit areas being the highways managed by the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), along with severe damage to state roads. He noted that restoring the damaged infrastructure will require not only substantial funding but also considerable time.

All preparations for the Prime Minister’s visit have been completed. Jai Ram Thakur has already reached Dharamshala, while Sukhu is expected to arrive tomorrow.

“Numerous roads, power lines, and water supply schemes have been badly affected. Several hydropower projects have also sustained heavy losses and are submerged,” Sukhu said.

So far, the ongoing monsoon has claimed the lives of 370 people, with 41 still missing. Additionally, 747 roads—including three national highways—remain closed to traffic, while 472 water supply schemes and 959 electricity transformers have been damaged due to the incessant rains.