Horticulture and Forestry College to Shift from Thunag to Sundernagar After Disaster, Says Government

Shimla / Mandi, July 10:
In the wake of the recent natural disaster that severely impacted the Thunag region of Mandi district, the Himachal Pradesh government has decided to temporarily shift the Horticulture and Forestry College from Thunag to Sundernagar. The college suffered significant infrastructural damage, though all 300 students were safely evacuated.

Revenue Minister Jagat Singh Negi, speaking to the media, confirmed the decision, stating that the move aims to ensure the safety of students and prevent any disruption in their academic progress. “The university has announced holidays until July 14, but under the current circumstances, resuming classes in Thunag is not feasible. To ensure that studies and admissions for the upcoming session are not affected, the college will be temporarily relocated to Sundernagar,” he said.

Negi added that students themselves had requested the relocation, and the government took the appeal seriously.

Expressing concern over the scale of destruction, Negi recalled that the 2023 disaster caused losses amounting to ₹10,000 crore in the state. However, under the Post Disaster Needs Assessment (PDNA) framework, the central government sanctioned only ₹2,006 crore—of which 25% must be raised by the state itself.

He accused the Centre of discriminatory treatment in disaster aid. “Now that BJP leaders themselves are visiting Mandi and Thunag and acknowledging the devastation, the question remains: why hasn’t Himachal received full support yet?” he asked.

The minister also referenced BJP National President and Union Minister J.P. Nadda, saying even he now admits the scale of destruction. Taking a jibe at former Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur, Negi remarked, “He is now going to Delhi to seek help, but during the 2023 disaster, he failed to make such efforts. Now that he’s feeling the pinch firsthand, he understands the true gravity of the crisis.”