📷 Image: Wikimedia Commons / Survey of India
Politics
Himachal Pradesh to Reclaim Surplus Bhakra Beas Board Land, CM Sukhu Announces
✍️ India Today
🗓 28 Aug 2026, 03:25 AM
👁 2
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said the state will initiate steps to retrieve surplus land currently held by the Bhakra Beas Management Board, aiming to optimise its use for public projects.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced that Himachal Pradesh will move to reclaim land that the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) holds in excess of its operational requirements. The decision, disclosed during a press briefing, is intended to bring the unused parcels under state control for development projects such as infrastructure, housing and tourism.
The CM emphasized that a detailed audit of BBMB's land holdings has identified several acres that are not essential for the board's water‑resource functions. He assured that the reclamation process will follow legal protocols and will involve coordination with the central Ministry of Water Resources.
State officials are expected to submit a formal proposal to BBMB within weeks, outlining the specific plots to be transferred. If approved, the reclaimed land could be allocated to schemes that address the state's growing demand for public amenities and economic growth.
The move reflects Himachal's broader strategy to optimise state assets and generate revenue without imposing new taxes. It also aligns with the government's focus on leveraging existing resources to boost regional development.
Stakeholders, including local communities and environmental groups, have been invited to provide feedback during the consultation phase, ensuring that the reclamation balances development goals with ecological considerations.
The CM emphasized that a detailed audit of BBMB's land holdings has identified several acres that are not essential for the board's water‑resource functions. He assured that the reclamation process will follow legal protocols and will involve coordination with the central Ministry of Water Resources.
State officials are expected to submit a formal proposal to BBMB within weeks, outlining the specific plots to be transferred. If approved, the reclaimed land could be allocated to schemes that address the state's growing demand for public amenities and economic growth.
The move reflects Himachal's broader strategy to optimise state assets and generate revenue without imposing new taxes. It also aligns with the government's focus on leveraging existing resources to boost regional development.
Stakeholders, including local communities and environmental groups, have been invited to provide feedback during the consultation phase, ensuring that the reclamation balances development goals with ecological considerations.