Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday, 27 July 2026, attended the Bal Mela (children's fair) at Nagrota Bagwan in Kangra district and laid foundation stones for three major civic infrastructure projects worth a combined Rs 26.83 crore, while announcing a series of upgrades for the region spanning health, policing, and administration.

Context

At the event, CM Sukhu paid tribute to the late G.S. Bali, a senior Congress leader and former minister who represented Nagrota Bagwan and was widely credited with driving local development before his passing. Sukhu noted that Bali's contributions to the constituency and the state 'will always be unforgettable,' and expressed satisfaction that R.S. Bali is continuing that developmental journey 'with full dedication.'

The three foundation stones laid at the event were for: a Model Police Station and police residential quarters at a cost of Rs 8.56 crore; an Old Age Home costing Rs 9.62 crore; and an Auditorium at Rs 8.65 crore — all to be constructed in Nagrota Bagwan.

Policy Backdrop

The Chief Minister also announced that the state government is working to add 330 new postgraduate seats across medical colleges to strengthen health services. Of these, 100 PG seats will be added at Dr. Rajendra Prasad Government Medical College, Tanda — a key institution in Kangra district. The move continues a pattern of incremental PG seat expansion at Tanda that state governments have pursued since the early 2010s to address specialist shortages in the region.

On the administrative front, Sukhu announced that offices of the Tourism Corporation, RERA, and the State Backward Classes Commission have been relocated to Dharamshala, the state's winter capital. He also stated that expansion of Kangra Airport (Gaggal) is being given priority — an upgrade that has featured in successive Himachal budgets and tourism policies for over a decade to improve connectivity for the Kangra valley.

Stakeholders and Impact

Residents of Kangra district, particularly the elderly, police personnel, and medical aspirants, stand to benefit most directly from the announcements. The Old Age Home addresses a growing need for elder-care infrastructure in semi-urban Himachal, while the Model Police Station is expected to upgrade law-enforcement facilities and staff accommodation in the constituency.

The addition of 100 PG medical seats at Tanda is significant for the region's healthcare capacity, potentially reducing the outflow of medical graduates to other states for specialisation. The office relocations to Dharamshala are framed as part of a broader administrative decentralisation effort to bring governance closer to residents outside Shimla.

What's Next

Beyond the foundation stones, CM Sukhu announced three additional commitments for the area: a Mini Secretariat to be built in Badoh; the upgrade of Badoh Police Chowki to a full police station; and the elevation of the Serathana Health Centre to a Primary Health Centre (PHC). These pledges extend the government's infrastructure push into smaller settlements within the Kangra constituency cluster.

Completion timelines for the model police station, old-age home, and auditorium, as well as formal notifications on the 100 additional PG seats at Tanda and fresh tendering for Kangra Airport works, will be closely watched as indicators of the state's delivery on these commitments.