Himachal Pradesh Prioritizes Urban Development with New Regional Plan

Minister Unveils Comprehensive Development Strategy

Subhash Mahajan
Dalhousie

Today, Rajesh Dharmani, the Minister for Urban Development, Housing, Technical Education, and Vocational Training, highlighted the state government's commitment to the structured development of Himachal Pradesh. During a press briefing in Dalhousie, he revealed that a detailed Regional Plan is in the works to facilitate organized construction and the development of residential areas throughout the state.

Dharmani shared that the initial phase of this significant initiative has commenced in six districts. To advance this plan, the state has entered into a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Indian Institute of Architects (IIA). The main goal is to ensure adherence to construction standards in both urban and rural settings, thereby enhancing safety during natural disasters like earthquakes.

Emphasizing the seismic risks faced by Himachal Pradesh, Dharmani underscored the importance of following established building regulations. He mentioned that last year, the government opted to expand the Town and Country Planning (TCP) Act to include rural plots larger than 1000 square meters and urban plots over 600 square meters.

To enforce these regulations, a dedicated flying squad of TCP officials will be formed to carry out inspections and address any violations.

The minister also indicated that in the future, Environmental Clearances (EC) for real estate developments will only be granted after verifying the availability of drinking water and adequate road access. Furthermore, a specialized committee consisting of representatives from TCP, the Jal Shakti Department, HIMUDA, and the Revenue Department has been established to oversee ongoing projects. This initiative aims to avoid mistakes similar to those seen in the Chester Hill incident, ensuring that such oversights do not occur in future developments.

The event was graced by the presence of former minister Asha Kumari, Kamal Thakur, Chairman of the Bhalei Mata Temple Committee, former Zila Parishad President Dharam Singh Pathania, SDM Anil Bhardwaj, HIMUDA CEO Surender Vishisht, PWD Superintendent Engineer Jeet Singh Thakur, and DSP Mayank Sharma.