Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani on Saturday, 16 May confirmed that land for the ambitious Him-Chandigarh urban development project is being acquired through mutual agreement or land pooling. Speaking at a review meeting of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) in Shimla, Dharmani outlined a broad urban growth agenda that spans satellite townships, a riverfront project, a start-up policy, and a digital services overhaul.

Key Developments in Urban Projects

Dharmani confirmed that alongside Him-Chandigarh, the state is actively pushing two other flagship urban initiatives — Him Panchkula and Kangra Valley Aero City. These projects, he said, are intended to serve as future-ready urban centres designed to promote balanced regional development and ease the mounting pressure of rapid urbanisation across the state.

A riverfront development project along the Sirsa River is also being prepared, with environmental conservation factored into its design. Dharmani stressed that HIMUDA's projects are not merely about meeting housing demand — they are also being structured as new revenue streams for the state.

Start-Up and Innovation Push Under HIMUDA

Under the HIMUDA Start-Up and Student Innovation Policy, young entrepreneurs will be eligible for funding of up to ₹5 lakh per proposal. The policy is aimed at building a robust innovation ecosystem that can accelerate economic growth and generate employment in the state.

Notably, the government is also exploring the possibility of extending start-up funding to ventures focused on disaster management — a recognition of Himachal Pradesh's unique geographical vulnerabilities to landslides, floods, and seismic activity. This is a relatively uncommon policy angle in state-level start-up frameworks and signals an intent to align innovation incentives with ground-level risk realities.

Digital Overhaul for HIMUDA Services

Dharmani announced the introduction of an integrated digital platform under HIMUDA's e-initiative model. The platform will offer stakeholders online access to services including allotment, e-drawing, and e-auction — a shift toward citizen-centric delivery that the minister described as a priority for the authority.

To support this transition, HIMUDA is investing in capacity building through officer and staff training, and is empanelling external experts from multiple fields to strengthen institutional functioning.

Why This Matters for Himachal Pradesh

Himachal Pradesh has historically lagged in planned urban infrastructure relative to its hill-state peers. The simultaneous push across Him-Chandigarh, Him Panchkula, and Kangra Valley Aero City represents the most concentrated urban development agenda the state has announced in recent years. With urbanisation accelerating and revenue pressures on state finances, HIMUDA's dual mandate — housing delivery and revenue generation — reflects a pragmatic recalibration of how hill states approach urban growth.

The land pooling model for Him-Chandigarh, if executed without disputes, could also serve as a replicable template for future acquisitions in ecologically sensitive terrain where compulsory acquisition carries higher political and legal risk.