Himachal Pradesh CM unveils State-of-the-Art secretariat building worth Rs 43.07 Crore”
Shimla, May 15
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh inaugurated the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat Armsdale Building Phase-III today, which was constructed at a cost of Rs. 43.07 crore. The eight-storey building boasts modern amenities and provides parking facilities for 123 four-wheelers and 60 two-wheelers.
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The building houses several offices, including the Disaster Management Cell, Command and Control Centre, Tribal Development Office, Conference Hall, Meeting Hall, Rooms for officers and Drivers, as well as branches of State Bank of India and Punjab National Bank.
During the inauguration, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh expressed that the old Secretariat building holds great heritage value, having witnessed numerous historic decisions made for the welfare of society. He emphasized the government’s commitment to keeping up with modern technology, evident in the construction of the new building. The Chief Minister also acknowledged the crucial role of employees in effectively implementing the policies and programs of the State Government.
Also read: NGT refuse to entertain application of Jai Ram Govt to permit lift, ramp & multistory parking at State Secretariat
Shimla Municipal Corporation Commissioner Ashish Kohli commented on the project, stating that the building was dedicated to the public with the consent of Shimla MC. He clarified that the government had obtained approval for this project prior to the implementation of the National Green Tribunal (NGT) order in 2017. The opinion of the law department was sought before approaching Shimla MC for consent. Kohli further explained that all projects conceived and approved by the state government and the public are subject to final approval by the Himachal Pradesh MC, and the construction of the eight-storey building was part of an earlier project.
Although the government sought permission from the NGT to proceed with the project in the interest of the public, the request was rejected due to non-compliance with the NGT order of 2017, specifically concerning heritage and core areas. However, the NGT granted a window to the government, stipulating that public interest projects, such as hospitals and emergency services, may be approved with the consent of the Supervisory and Implementation Committee, as constituted by the NGT. This decision aligns with the NGT judgment of November 2017 in the case of Yogender Mohan Sengupta vs. State of Himachal Pradesh.
In a recent development, the Shimla MC also approved the construction of a second multi-storey building. The IGMC multi-storey building received approval to open a new OPD block, as this project had been initially approved in 2013.
