Himachal Clears High-Rises, New Jail, and Digital Court Plan

In a major push to modernize urban infrastructure, the Himachal Pradesh Cabinet, led by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, approved the construction of two high-rise commercial buildings—14 and 17 storeys—at Mohal Chotta Shimla, Dehat Shimla. The project will meet growing administrative and commercial needs while offering modern amenities and sufficient parking.

In a key administrative reshuffle, the Wildlife Wing of the Forest Department will move from Shimla to Dharamshala, with its current premises allocated to the CPD KFW Project Office, now relocating to the Conservator of Forests (Wildlife) in Dharamshala.

Further, the Cabinet decided to regularize part-time Class-IV employees across departments by converting them into daily wagers if they have completed seven years of continuous service by March 31, 2025.

The District Jail in Mandi will be shifted to Nerchowk. The current Mandi facility will be repurposed as an open jail for women, with the required staff positions created and filled.

To streamline legal processes, the state will implement the Himachal Pradesh Online Filing and Processing of Court Cases Rules, 2025 under the Revenue Department, enabling digital handling of court matters.

In transport, the Cabinet cleared 350 new stage carriage routes, including provision for private 18-seater tempo travellers to enhance last-mile connectivity.

For better urban regulation, the Cabinet approved development plans for Chintpurni (Una), Sarahan (Shimla), and Bhota (Hamirpur) as special planning areas.

Strengthening public services, approval was given to recruit 81 medical officers, 18 forensic professionals, and 11 agriculture subject matter specialists.

Land has also been allocated for the expansion of AIIMS Bilaspur and the establishment of a new Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya in Chamba.

In other moves, the Cabinet withdrew the earlier notification that sought to upgrade Nagar Panchayat Sunni to a Municipal Council and appointed the Jal Shakti Vibhag as the implementing agency for drinking water supply schemes funded by the 15th Finance Commission.

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