Himachal Pradesh has shown significant progress in education, healthcare, and socio-economic indicators despite its challenging terrain, as noted by Dr. VK Paul, former NITI Aayog member. However, Dr. Paul emphasized the need to climate-proof infrastructure to safeguard against climate-induced disasters that could jeopardize the state’s development.
During a workshop on ‘Towards Resilient Infrastructure Planning in the Western Himalayas,’ Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu highlighted the importance of coordinated efforts among departments to enhance future infrastructure planning, especially in light of past disasters in Mandi.
The workshop, organized by Chintan Research Foundation (CRF) in collaboration with the Dr. Manmohan Singh HP Institute of Public Administration (MSHIPA), stressed the necessity of climate-proofing developmental pathways to ensure inclusive development in Himachal Pradesh. Experts discussed the evolving nature of disasters in the region and the critical role of climate-resilient infrastructure in mitigating socio-economic and infrastructure losses.
The event also featured the unveiling of a discussion paper on ‘Rethinking Infrastructure Development in the Western Himalayas towards Climate Resilient Infrastructure’ by CRF researcher Dr. Pooja Sehbag. The technical sessions underscored the importance of periodic risk assessments, contextual planning, and community stakeholder involvement in climate-proofing Himalayan infrastructure.
