Industrial belt gets urban boost as Sukhu unveils Him–Chandigarh township plan
Shimla, Jan 5,
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday unveiled the Himachal Pradesh government’s plan to develop a world-class Him–Chandigarh Township along the state’s border with Chandigarh, positioning it near the fast-expanding industrial hub of Baddi as a long-term solution to unplanned urban sprawl and industrial pressure in southern Himachal.
Speaking to mediapersons, the Chief Minister said the Council of Ministers has cleared the acquisition of around 3,400 bigha of land for the project, with the process already underway to scale it up to nearly 3,700 bigha to meet future planning needs. He said consent from landowners has largely been secured, signalling smooth progress for what is being projected as one of the most ambitious urban development initiatives in the region.
Sukhu said the land acquisition and township development will be executed through the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority, in line with statutory provisions. The identified land parcel includes a balanced mix of government and private land, and will extend across the Baddi and Nalagarh border belt, strengthening the industrial–residential ecosystem that has emerged as Himachal’s key economic engine.
The Chief Minister said the government has also decided to pool Gram Panchayat land on the adjoining side of the border, while simultaneously ring-fencing environmental interests. Nearly 10,000 bigha of surrounding green and forest areas will be conserved to safeguard ecological services and ensure that urban expansion does not come at the cost of environmental stability. He added that a parallel proposal for developing a township near the Morni Hills region is also under active consideration.
Describing the project as a corrective to haphazard growth, Sukhu said the proposed township is designed to ease pressure on existing urban centres, offer planned housing, and generate employment and investment opportunities without undermining environmental sustainability. He stressed that the government intends to carry out the development in phases, with a focus on transparency, local participation and timely execution.
Once completed, the Him–Chandigarh Township is expected to emerge as a model urban centre, seamlessly integrating residential zones, commercial spaces and green corridors, while providing critical urban support to the rapidly growing industrial belt of southern Himachal Pradesh.
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