Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Saturday, 29 August announced that the state's first ozone-based drinking water treatment plant is being set up in Dehra, Kangra district, with a budgetary allocation of ₹46 crore. The facility aims to ensure reliable access to clean drinking water for residents of the constituency and is expected to serve as a model for similar installations across the state.

Project Details and Scope

Speaking at Baddal Thor in the Dehra assembly constituency, Sukhu said the ozone-based treatment technology represents a significant upgrade over conventional water purification methods. He added that once this plant is operational, comparable ozone-based water treatment projects would be rolled out in other parts of Himachal Pradesh, signalling a broader statewide push for improved drinking water infrastructure.

Other Announcements at Baddal Thor

Beyond the water treatment plant, the Chief Minister announced the establishment of a veterinary hospital at Baddal Thor to bolster animal husbandry services in the area. Sukhu also noted that surveys are currently under way in panchayats to identify beneficiaries under the Mukhyamantri Ka Apna Parivar Sukhi Parivar Yojana, underscoring the government's stated commitment to ensuring that welfare benefits reach those at the margins of society.

Broader Governance Initiatives

The Chief Minister highlighted several other schemes launched since the Indian National Congress (INC) government assumed office, framing them as part of a drive toward making the state self-reliant. He cited the Rajiv Gandhi Van Samvardhan Yojana, under which youth and women's self-help groups are enlisted to plant and protect forests. Participating groups reportedly receive financial assistance of ₹1.20 lakh, along with performance-linked incentives tied to plantation survival rates.

On education, Sukhu said CBSE-affiliated schools have already been opened in the state and more are planned, with the government aiming to widen access to quality schooling. He assured residents that Dehra constituency would receive adequate allocations for all ongoing and planned development works.

On the Ground in Dehra

Sukhu received a public reception at the Baddal Thor helipad on his arrival. Local MLA Kamlesh Thakur and other Congress representatives were present to receive him. The Chief Minister later visited the Laxmi Narayan Temple at Chanour and offered prayers before concluding his visit.

This comes amid the Himachal government's broader emphasis on rural infrastructure — the ozone water plant announcement is the latest in a series of constituency-level commitments that the administration has made in Kangra district over the past year. How quickly the project moves from announcement to execution will be closely watched by residents who have long flagged water quality concerns in the region.