Good News for Kangra: Finn Singh Irrigation Project Gets Green Light After 13 Years
For over a decade, the people of Nurpur in Kangra district have been waiting for the Finn Singh Irrigation Project to see the light of day. Despite numerous changes in government, the project remained stuck in limbo. But now, there’s finally some good news. Launched in 2011 with an initial budget of ₹204 crores, the project’s cost has now ballooned to ₹646 crores.
Deputy Chief Minister Mukesh Agnihotri recently took to social media to share an update that many have been eagerly waiting for. In his Facebook post, he announced, “The long-pending Finn Singh Irrigation Project has received approval from the Central Government. After the state spent nearly ₹300 crores, the project had been stuck for over a decade. Now, the Central Government will step in to provide the remaining funds—around ₹300 crores. This project will be a game-changer for Kangra district. Ever since the Congress government took office in Himachal, we’ve been pushing for financial help from the Centre. We’re grateful to Union Jal Shakti Minister CR Patil Ji and congratulate the officers of our State Jal Shakti Department for making this possible.”
The State’s Commitment: ₹283 Crores Already Spent
Himachal Pradesh has already invested a substantial ₹283 crores from its own resources to keep the project alive. The state government has long been appealing to the Centre for financial support. Earlier this year, in February 2023, Deputy CM Mukesh Agnihotri traveled to Delhi, where he met with the then Union Jal Shakti Minister, Gajendra Shekhawat. During the visit, he urged the Centre to release the much-needed ₹340 crores for the Finn Singh project. Thankfully, that plea has now been answered.
A Boon for Nurpur Farmers
Once the Finn Singh Irrigation Project is completed, it will bring much-needed relief to farmers across a large part of Kangra district. The project includes constructing a dam near Lahadu on the Chakki River. Through a tunnel, water will be channeled to various villages in Nurpur, providing essential irrigation support to local farmers. This project is set to transform the agricultural landscape of the region, ensuring better yields and a brighter future for the farming community.
