The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, inaugurated and laid foundation stones for 17 development projects worth Rs 1.9 billion (bn) during a one-day tour of Sirmaur district. The total included foundation stones amounting to Rs 1.52 billion and several completed works opened for public use. The programme was organised by the state administration to accelerate local infrastructure and public services. The foundation stone package comprised infrastructure investments, including Smart Grid Technologies in Nahan at Rs 534 million (mn) and Poanta Sahib at Rs 436.6 mn, a Bheron?Adi Badri road at Rs 160.4 mn and a Kanshiwala?Biroja Factory road at Rs 123.6 mn. Other works included a Chief Medical Office at Nahan at Rs 84.2 mn, upgradation of Burma Papri, Palion and Majri road at Rs 81.7 mn, a link road from Sainwala to Kotla at Rs 69.8 mn and a link from NH07 via Bhaderkali to Forest Check Post Kolar Bilaspur road at Rs 31.3 mn. These projects were described as intended to enhance connectivity and urban services across the district. The Chief Minister inaugurated facilities including a new Table Tennis?cum?Squash Court Complex in Nahan at Rs 30.3 mn, a boys hostel at the Government Polytechnic, Dhaula Kuan, at Rs 31.7 mn and the second floor of its academic block at Rs 49.1 mn. He also opened a residential accommodation block at Rs 78.1 mn, an automobile block at Rs 24.1 mn, a girls hostel at Rs 33.0 mn, a link road from Judda?Ka?Johar to village Gadda at Rs 25.7 mn, a fire post building at Kala Amb at Rs 38.0 mn and the District Panchayat Resource Centre in Nahan at Rs 56.5 mn. The facilities were presented as measures to strengthen technical education and district administration. On International Women’s Day the Chief Minister honoured women for contributions in administration, mountaineering and examinations and awarded beneficiaries under welfare schemes. Several beneficiaries under the Mahila Vikas Protsahan Yojana received Rs 0.1 mn each and Mukhyamantri Sukh Aashray Yojana provided marriage assistance of Rs 60,000 and second instalments of Rs 0.1 mn.