Himachal CM Sukhu lays foundation for various development projects amounting to Rs, 184 crore

Shimla (Himachal Pradesh) [India], August 17 (ANI): Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for various development projects amounting to Rs. 184 crore in Hamirpur district.

He laid the foundation stone for a state-of-the-art Multipurpose Sports Complex at Kharidi in Nadaun, being developed with an outlay of Rs. 65 crore.

This modern facility will feature an eight-lane swimming pool, a shooting range and dedicated areas for wrestling, boxing, Kabaddi, yoga, table tennis, and badminton.

The CM said that the State Government was constructing such multipurpose sports complexes in other parts of the state to channel the energy of the youth in the right direction.

Speaking on the occasion, the CM emphasized the importance of sports in encouraging youth to refrain from drugs and promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.

“This sports complex will be a symbol of our commitment to nurturing talent and ensuring the physical and mental well-being of our youth,” he said.

The CM also laid the foundation for setting up two farmers’ training centres at Dhanpur (Bara) and another at the Agriculture Complex in Hamirpur, at a cost of Rs 4.50 crore.

“These centres are envisioned as hubs for empowering farmers through knowledge dissemination, skill development, and the adoption of modern agricultural practices,” he said.

The training programs will cover areas such as minor irrigation techniques, crop diversification, and advanced vegetable production methods.

Furthermore, the centres will play a pivotal role in the formation and strengthening of Krishak Vikas Associations (KVAs) and Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), transforming them into sustainable business entities.

Sukhu also performed foundation stones of widening and strengthening of five roads viz. Rs. 35 crore Pattha-Salauni-Deothsidh, Rs. 49 crore Rangas-Kangu-Dhaneta road, Rs. 5.67 crore Gandiyan-Badaitar road and Paniyala-Kashmir & Dhaneta-Barsar roads to be made at a cost of Rs 16 crore which would provide improved and efficient transportation facilities to the people of the area.

The Chief Minister inaugurated a Centre of Excellence at Krishi Vigyan Kendra, Bara, established at Rs 1.31 crore.

This facility aims to provide high-quality vegetable saplings to farmers in Hamirpur district and surrounding areas, with a production capacity of 3.50 lakh saplings annually, covering 1,400 hectares of agricultural land of the progressive farmers.

He said that the state government was dedicated to strengthening the rural economy. To support this, naturally grown wheat at Rs 40 per kg and maize at Rs 30 per kg would be purchased.

Moreover, the minimum support price for cow milk has been raised from Rs 32 to Rs 45 per litre and for buffalo milk from Rs 47 to Rs 55 per litre.

Additionally, a state-of-the-art milk processing plant is being established at Daghwar in Kangra district at a cost of Rs 250 crore.

This fully automated facility will have an initial capacity of 1.50 lakh litres per day (LLPD), with the potential to expand up to three LLPDs.

Additionally, the Chief Minister inaugurated the newly constructed PG Block at the College of Horticulture and Forestry in Neri, completed at Rs. 3.46 crore.

He also laid the foundation stone of Girls Hostel in the College which would cost Rs. 3.62 crore.

Ayush and Sports Minister Yadvinder Goma, MLA’s Suresh Kumar and Ranjeet Rana, Chairman of Kangra Cooperative Bank Kuldeep Pathania, Kangra Cooperative Primary Agriculture and Rural Development Bank Ram Chander Pathania, Chairman APMC Ajay Sharma, Vice Chancellor of Dr YS Parmar University of Horticulture and Forestry Nauni, Solan Dr Rajeshwar Chandel, Director Agriculture Kumud Singh, District Congress President Suman Bharti, Block Congress President Nadaun Captain Prithvi Chand, senior Congress leaders and representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions were present on the occasion.