Himachal govt clears 42 industrial projects worth Rs 5,877 crore

Shimla: The Himachal Pradesh govt has approved 42 industrial investment proposals worth Rs 5,877 crore, paving the way for the creation of an estimated 13,355 employment opportunities across the state.The approvals were granted during a meeting of the state single window clearance and monitoring authority (SSWC&MA), chaired by chief minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Tuesday. The approved projects span a wide range of sectors, reflecting the growing diversification of Himachal Pradesh's industrial landscape. These include pharmaceuticals, automobiles, textiles, chemicals, electrical and electronics manufacturing, plastics and packaging, food processing, cosmetics and steel industries.Addressing the meeting, Sukhu directed officials to notify the new Himachal Pradesh Industrial Policy within the next two months to enhance the state's competitiveness with neighbouring states. He emphasised the govt's focus on promoting labour-intensive industries capable of generating maximum employment opportunities for the youth of the state. He reiterated the govt's commitment to building a progressive industrial ecosystem that balances economic development with environmental sustainability.Industries minister Harshwardhan Chauhan highlighted hill state's growing reputation as an investor-friendly destination, particularly in the defence and pharmaceutical sectors. He said the govt's proactive policies, robust infrastructure and streamlined single-window clearance system were strengthening ease of doing business. Chauhan noted that the state's industrial investment conversion rate over the last three years stood at 57%, significantly higher than the national average of 32-35%.