Chief Minister Sukhu Meets Union Minister Dr. Jitendra Singh; Seeks 150 Automated Weather Stations and Bio-Manufacturing Hubs for Himachal Pradesh.
New Delhi:
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu met Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Science & Technology and Earth Sciences, Dr. Jitendra Singh, in New Delhi on Tuesday evening and sought enhanced technological support to strengthen the state’s disaster preparedness and promote sustainable development.
During the meeting, Chief Minister Sukhu urged the Union Minister to provide one Doppler Weather Radar and 150 Automated Weather Stations across Himachal Pradesh before the onset of the next monsoon season. He emphasized that such infrastructure was critical for ensuring early and precise warnings related to natural disasters, especially given the state’s fragile geography and increasing vulnerability due to climate change.
“The geological positioning of Himachal Pradesh, combined with the growing impact of global warming, has led to an alarming rise in natural disasters. The state has suffered heavy losses in recent years. Hence, there is a pressing need for modern warning and monitoring systems,” the Chief Minister said.
The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to Dr. Jitendra Singh for approving the Doppler Weather Radar for Lahaul-Spiti, and suggested that weather data from these systems be integrated with national early warning agencies to ensure timely alerts to state authorities.
He also proposed the establishment of a Seismic Laboratory and Data Analysis Centre in the Kangra-Hamirpur zone, which falls under seismic zone-V and is highly prone to earthquakes. In addition, he requested the installation of two advanced air monitoring systems in higher reaches, a Weather Data Centre at Hamirpur, and compact weather radars in the state’s shadow regions to improve forecasting accuracy.
Highlighting the need for sustainable development, Chief Minister Sukhu called for the creation of a Bio-Manufacturing Hub in Himachal Pradesh to utilize plant-based natural resources effectively. He also advocated for plant-based packaging units to promote eco-friendly practices and support the state’s green economy vision.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister discussed the need to strengthen space science education through initiatives like the “Space on Wheels” programme, along with introducing AI-based refresher courses to enhance students’ understanding of advanced scientific fields.
The meeting also covered strategies for promoting natural farming, land management, and renewable energy-based smart agriculture in the state. Chief Minister Sukhu apprised the Union Minister of various initiatives being implemented in the dairy sector and the promotion of natural farming practices.
Dr. Jitendra Singh assured the Chief Minister that the state’s requests would be considered on priority and extended his ministry’s full support to Himachal Pradesh in strengthening its scientific and environmental infrastructure.
The meeting was also attended by MLA Suresh Kumar, Principal Advisor to the Chief Minister Ram Subhag Singh, and Principal Resident Commissioner Ajay Kumar Yadav, among other senior officials.
