+
HP Cabinet Curbs Valley-Side Construction on NH in Shimla
ECONOMY & POLICY

HP Cabinet Curbs Valley-Side Construction on NH in Shimla

The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has approved key amendments to the Town and Country Planning Rules, 2014, placing restrictions on construction along the valley side of national highways within Shimla Municipal Corporation limits. The decision, taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is intended to protect the visual and ecological integrity of the region.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan explained that as per the new guidelines, buildings must be constructed at least one metre below the road level to maintain the natural valley views.

In a related move, the cabinet also decided to designate the forested area near Mata Tara Devi Temple as a green zone under the Shimla Development Plan. Once notified, all construction activities in this area will be prohibited to ensure sustainable development.

The cabinet also approved the Mukhya Mantri Green Adoption Yojana, which encourages private sector involvement in plantation efforts on degraded forest land through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This move aims to enhance the state’s forest cover.

Additionally, guidelines were approved for the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojana 2023, under which the state will provide a 50 per cent subsidy for electric taxis. Between 200 and 300 new vehicles will be made available to unemployed youth.

To further improve administrative efficiency, the cabinet approved the merger of the design wing with the civil wing in the Public Works Department.


The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has approved key amendments to the Town and Country Planning Rules, 2014, placing restrictions on construction along the valley side of national highways within Shimla Municipal Corporation limits. The decision, taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is intended to protect the visual and ecological integrity of the region.Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan explained that as per the new guidelines, buildings must be constructed at least one metre below the road level to maintain the natural valley views.In a related move, the cabinet also decided to designate the forested area near Mata Tara Devi Temple as a green zone under the Shimla Development Plan. Once notified, all construction activities in this area will be prohibited to ensure sustainable development.The cabinet also approved the Mukhya Mantri Green Adoption Yojana, which encourages private sector involvement in plantation efforts on degraded forest land through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This move aims to enhance the state’s forest cover.Additionally, guidelines were approved for the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojana 2023, under which the state will provide a 50 per cent subsidy for electric taxis. Between 200 and 300 new vehicles will be made available to unemployed youth.To further improve administrative efficiency, the cabinet approved the merger of the design wing with the civil wing in the Public Works Department.

Related Stories

Gold Stories

Next Story
Real Estate

The Energy-Smart Buildings

Passive design is an integral part of energy-efficient architecture. Sophisticated building systems also contribute to this end. But what role do materials play in enhancing a building’s energy-efficiency?“Material selection is one of the earliest opportunities to influence how a building performs,” says Tejbeer Singh, Principal Architect & Founder, Expressionist by Tejbeer Singh. “The objective is not simply to select materials that look appropriate but to understand how they behave within the climate and construction system.”To read the full article Click Here ..

Next Story
Infrastructure Transport

When the Lowest Bid Comes at a Cost

India's infrastructure sector is building at a scale few markets can match. New highways, expressways, metros, bridges and complex engineering projects are transforming the country's landscape. Yet, behind this rapid expansion is a growing concern within the contracting community: Can infrastructure be delivered sustainably when competition pushes prices below commercially viable levels?For Praveen Sethia, Founder & Director, Infra Advisors, who moderated the discussion, the question goes beyond the contractor's commercial interests. Contractors may be one of the two parties to a contract,..

Next Story
Real Estate

Ultra-Luxury Projects Reshape Gurugram’s Housing Market

Gurugram’s luxury housing market has expanded beyond its traditional prime locations, with corridors such as Dwarka Expressway and Golf Course Extension Road emerging as key centres for premium residential development. Larger homes, integrated developments and amenity-led communities are attracting demand from end-users and investors.A 2025 report by Sotheby’s International Realty in collaboration with CRE Matrix identified Gurugram as India’s fastest-growing ultra-luxury housing market. The city overtook Mumbai in total sales value for homes priced above Rs 10 crore, recording nearly Rs..

Advertisement

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Get daily newsletters around different themes from Construction world.

STAY CONNECTED

Advertisement

SPECIAL OFFER
QR Code