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

12 May 2025 CW Team

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.

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.

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Mizoram To Build Rs 139 Billion Pumped Storage Power Plant

Mizoram Chief Minister Lalduhoma on Friday announced plans to construct a 2,400 MW pumped storage hydroelectric power plant in Hnahthial district, marking a major step towards achieving energy self-sufficiency in the state. Addressing the Mizo Students’ Union general conference in Hnahthial town, the Chief Minister said the plant would be developed across the Darzo Nallah, a tributary of the Tuipui river. Once operational, the project is expected to play a pivotal role in meeting Mizoram’s rising electricity demand and reducing dependence on imported power. Officials from the State Power..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

Centre Plans Nationwide Opening Of Power Retail Market

India is preparing to open up its retail electricity market to private companies nationwide, effectively ending the long-standing monopoly of state-run power distributors in most regions, according to a draft bill released by the Union Power Ministry on Friday. The move will enable major private sector players — including Adani Enterprises, Tata Power, Torrent Power, and CESC — to expand their presence across the country’s electricity distribution landscape. A similar reform attempt in 2022 had faced strong opposition from state-run distribution companies (discoms), which currently dom..

Infrastructure Energy

14 Oct 2025

CEA Sets 100 GW Nuclear Target For India By 2047

In a landmark step marking its 52nd Foundation Day, the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) unveiled an ambitious roadmap to develop 100 gigawatts (GW) of nuclear power capacity by 2047, aligning with India’s long-term Net-Zero commitment and energy security objectives. The event, held at the Central Water Commission auditorium in New Delhi’s R.K. Puram, was attended by Pankaj Agarwal, Secretary, Ministry of Power, who served as the Chief Guest. The roadmap sets out a detailed plan to expand India’s nuclear capacity from its current level of approximately 8,180 MW as of early 2025, outl..