With natural disasters becoming more frequent and severe in Himachal Pradesh, the state government has launched the Rs 2,688-crore Himachal Pradesh Resilient Action for Development and Disaster Recovery (HP-READY) Project to strengthen disaster resilience and reduce vulnerability across the state. The ambitious initiative will be implemented from January 2026 to November 2030 with a focus on disaster preparedness, mitigation, recovery and long-term resilience building.
Announcing the project, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said Himachal Pradesh, owing to its fragile ecology and mountainous terrain, has become increasingly vulnerable to climate-induced disasters. He said the devastating natural calamities witnessed during the past three years have necessitated a shift from a relief-centric approach to a resilience-centric model of governance.
“HP-READY is our roadmap to protect lives, livelihoods and developmental assets. Development without resilience is not sustainable,” the Chief Minister said. He added that the project would prioritise vulnerable districts and communities while strengthening disaster management capacity at the grassroots level to ensure that the state’s development trajectory remains protected from climate-related disruptions.
The state has witnessed more than 66 cloudbursts, 234 landslides and 121 flash floods over the last three years, causing significant loss of life and widespread damage to public infrastructure. In response, the HP-READY Project aims to restore and strengthen disaster-affected infrastructure, including roads, bridges, water supply schemes, sanitation systems and power networks in vulnerable and affected regions.
The project also seeks to enhance institutional capacity by establishing robust financial and administrative mechanisms for disaster resilience. Special emphasis will be laid on strengthening early warning systems, promoting disaster-resilient infrastructure, scientific land-use planning and improving community preparedness through technology integration, traditional knowledge and better inter-departmental coordination.
A key feature of the project is active community participation in restoration and resilience-building works. For effective implementation, the government will establish a dedicated Project Management Unit (PMU) along with regular monitoring and evaluation mechanisms to ensure timely execution and desired outcomes.
