Himachal Pradesh to Establish Him Chandigarh: A Modern Urban Development Initiative
Introduction to Him Chandigarh
Will come up over 20,000 bighas
SHIMLA
The Himachal Pradesh government has unveiled plans to create a new, state-of-the-art city named ‘Him Chandigarh’, strategically located near the Chandigarh border at Baddi, marking a significant step towards organized urban development.
Announcement by the Chief Minister
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu made this announcement during the inauguration of the second phase of the Citizen Connect Programme, part of the ‘Swachh Shehar, Samriddh Shehar’ initiative held at Peterhoff in Shimla.
He revealed that the city is set to span approximately 20,000 bighas, with 3,400 bighas already earmarked for the project. The Chief Minister noted that additional land will be secured soon, as residents from three panchayats have tentatively agreed to contribute land for this ambitious venture.
Planning and Infrastructure
Consultants for the planning and execution of the city will be appointed in the near future. Sukhu emphasized that the city will feature modern infrastructure built to global standards, with a strong emphasis on sustainability and future urban requirements.
Launch of Urban Initiatives
During the event, the Chief Minister introduced several initiatives under the Urban Development Department, including the Rajiv Gandhi Laghu Dukandaar Sukh Kalyan Yojana, 15 Municipal Shared Services Centres, nine online services, the Chief Minister Urban Digital Identity Scheme, a reward scheme for the Swachhata Survey, the Central Business District at Hamirpur, and hydraulic parking solutions in Shimla.
He also distributed settlement letters to beneficiaries of the Dukandaar Yojana and awarded self-help groups under the Amrit Mitra Yojana, while recognizing urban local bodies for their exemplary contributions.
Commitment to Sustainable Urban Growth
Sukhu stated that Himachal Pradesh is progressing towards self-sufficiency and positive change. In light of the increasing population, rapid urbanization, and changing civic needs, the government is developing a new, inclusive, and sustainable urban development strategy. He mentioned that all citizen services will be accessible through a single portal, the Him Seva Suvidha Portal, which he described as a pioneering initiative in the nation.
Additionally, the Chief Minister announced plans for a Rs 400-crore shopping complex at Shimla’s Sabzi Mandi and allocated Rs 150 crore for the beautification of Hamirpur town, which includes transforming the old bus stand into a modern shopping hub. Projects worth Rs 707 crore approved by the Urban Development Department will commence soon, along with further facilities costing Rs 500 crore to be developed in Shimla city. Utility ducts similar to those in Shimla Municipal Corporation will also be established in other municipal areas.