3 townships coming up in Himachal Pradesh, says minister

Shimla: Himachal Pradesh is launching ambitious urban development projects to meet rising housing demands and enhance public convenience, said town and country planning minister Rajesh Dharmani on Monday.Speaking at the board of directors meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA), Dharmani announced the approval of preliminary activities for key projects, with an initial allocation of Rs 5 crore. The initiatives include the proposed Him Chandigarh Township at Sheetalpur, Baddi in Solan district, a new township at Morni Hills in Pachhad of Sirmaur district, and a planned development township at Lunj near Kangra airport. These projects aim to modernise urban areas and create strategic residential hubs along high-growth corridors.
Highlighting progress near the state capital, the minister said HIMUDA will develop 919 residential units on 21 bighas under the first phase of the Jathia Devi project near Shimla, with an estimated investment of Rs 1,327 crore. This flagship project will decongest Shimla while stimulating peripheral economic activity. A special quota of plots and flats will be reserved for Olympic and Asian Games medallists, gallantry award winners, and children's bravery award recipients.The board also approved commercial and infrastructure projects, including a 17-shop complex in Ghumarwin (Rs 7.69 crore) and the development of 130 plots in Shree Jwala Ji Shakti Vihar Colony, Kangra (Rs 18.61 crore). Policy reforms such as the land pooling policy, buy-back, and redevelopment policy were endorsed, alongside a 5% discount for lump-sum payments within 45 days.