Shimla, Aug 6 (PTI) Himachal Pradesh Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Thursday reviewed the progress of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded HPSHIVA project and said plantation would be carried out on around 1,000 hectares during the ongoing monsoon season.
The HPSHIVA Project (Himachal Pradesh Subtropical Horticulture, Irrigation and Value Addition) is a joint initiative by the state government and the ADB designed to transform the subtropical regions of the state into a horticulture hub.
The project is being implemented in Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Mandi, Kangra, Solan, Sirmaur and Una districts.
Reviewing the project’s progress, Negi said that against the Phase-I target of developing 3,000 hectares, work has been completed on 2,612 hectares, of which plantation has been carried out on 1,543 hectares.
The remaining area will be covered during January-February 2027 as most of the plantations involve winter crops such as plum and persimmon, he said.
A total of 331 clusters have been finalised under Phase I, benefiting around 10,646 farmer families, the minister said.
Negi said the survey for Phase II is underway. Around 2,500 hectares have been identified, while surveys are in progress on 2,153 hectares.
Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for around 1,200 hectares have been prepared and submitted to the ADB for technical clearance, he said, adding that the tendering process is expected to begin in the last week of August after the clearance is received.
The minister also reviewed the progress of civil works, including solar fencing, field preparation, drip irrigation and lift irrigation schemes.
He said penalties had been imposed on two contractors for slow progress despite repeated follow-ups and directed project officers to withhold their payments until the required manpower is deployed at the project sites. PTI COR APL APL
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