Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, after holding a meeting with Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) at New Delhi on Thursday, said the agency will fund in green hydrogen, tunneling, dairy and sewerage sectors.

A detailed meeting in this regard will be held at Shimla soon as the chief minister has asked JICA to share the detailed project reports so that a blueprint could be prepared.

Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that tiny tunnels play an important role and act as a key factor in providing ease of connectivity in the hill states besides, saving commuting time and for the very purpose, JICA has been asked for roping in tunneling in the projects as well.

“Dairy farming is the third sector in which JICA will provide its support and technology. This will transform the economy of the farmers in specific and of the state as a whole. Community based sewerage and sanitation is another priority of the government,” said he.

Apart from all this, the government has decided to make Himachal Pradesh a green energy state by 2025, he informed, adding that an initiative has been mooted with replacement of vehicles in the Transport department of the state.

The state also mulls setting up green hydrogen plants for Electric vehicles, which will go a long way to achieve the goal of this ambitious project and for this, the state government will consult the Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) for the same, he said.

Chief Representative of JICA, Saito Mitsunori assured the Chief Minister that JICA will work out on the projects in accordance with the aspirations of the state government.

Source : The Statesman Feb 9th 2023