Haripur CHC to be Upgraded as ‘Adarsh Swasthya Sansthan’; Rs 3 Lakh Housing Aid for Displaced Families
In a significant gesture of restitution and development, Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday handed over land allotment certificates to 89 displaced families of the Pong Dam project during a public meeting in Haripur, located in Dehra Assembly Constituency of Kangra district. He announced that each of these oustees would also receive ₹3 lakh as financial support for constructing homes — a long-overdue relief for families displaced for over five decades.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister acknowledged the struggle of the Pong Dam oustees and stated that the state government was committed to delivering justice to those who had been deprived of their basic rights for decades. He assured that all remaining affected families would also receive land soon, and said, “This is not a favor, but a rightful return of what was long denied.”
Highlighting the shift in governance following the election of Congress MLA Kamlesh Thakur in the Dehra bypolls, CM Sukhu emphasized that Dehra — which had not seen Congress representation for 25 years — was now on a fast track to development. “The phrase ‘Dehra koi nahin tera’ no longer holds true. I say with pride — ‘Dehra Mera,’” he declared to applause.
He also announced that Haripur’s Community Health Centre (CHC) would be upgraded into an ‘Adarsh Swasthya Sansthan’ under the state’s ambitious health reform plan for all 68 constituencies, with a ₹2 crore allocation for doctors’ residential quarters.
Among other major updates, the Chief Minister said the under-construction Nandpur bridge would be completed by December. He recalled that two girls from Nandpur had recently shared their travel struggles during the monsoon, prompting this deadline-driven response from the state.
The state’s tourism future also received a major boost as CM Sukhu reaffirmed the development of the ₹619 crore International-level Zoological Park in Bankhandi. The first phase of the project, costing ₹150 crore and comprising 43 enclosures, is expected to be operational next year. He said this initiative will attract tourists, create local jobs, and strengthen Dehra’s economy.
The Chief Minister also noted the shifting of the Forest Department’s Wildlife Wing from Shimla to Dharamshala, with a clear signal that more government departments will be relocated to Kangra to reduce congestion in the state capital and decentralize administration.
On fiscal issues, CM Sukhu criticized the GST regime for reducing Himachal’s annual revenue from ₹3,000 crore to just ₹150 crore, calling it a significant blow to the state’s finances. He took a firm stance against the previous BJP government, accusing it of misusing state resources and offering subsidies to the affluent while neglecting the underprivileged.
He also refuted BJP allegations on the Nalagarh medical device park, alleging that the previous regime attempted to sell state land worth ₹500 crore for a mere ₹12 lakh. Sukhu assured that his government would not allow Himachal’s assets to be sold off and highlighted improving fiscal indicators as proof of responsible governance.
MLA Kamlesh Thakur expressed deep gratitude to the Chief Minister and reaffirmed her resolve to bridge Dehra’s developmental gaps within six months. She cited progress in key infrastructure projects, including the Ranital to Mubarakpur road and the restoration of 24 water schemes damaged in the 2023 disaster. Former Rajya Sabha MP Viplove Thakur, along with several state officials and political dignitaries, also lauded the CM’s leadership and vision.
With a strong focus on health, housing, infrastructure, and tourism, the Chief Minister’s initiatives signal a transformative roadmap for Dehra and Kangra district at large.
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