Himachal CM lays stone of six-storey building to decongest Shimla Secretariat

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Sunday (April 6, 2025) laid the foundation stone of Phase-II of the historic Ellerslie Building in Shimla.

The project, estimated to cost Rs 19.72 crore, is scheduled for completion by April 2026.
The upcoming six-storey structure will include three floors for parking, two floors designated for Secretariat offices and other amenities. Once completed, the facility is expected to significantly decongest the Secretariat complex and enhance accessibility for the public.

The Chief Minister said the new infrastructure will streamline public movement, provide better amenities and help reduce traffic congestion along the Circular Road.

Interacting with the media, the Chief Minister said that the government was open to any form of investigation in the Chief Engineer Vimal Negi death case.

“If the Enforcement Directorate (ED) can conduct raids in Nadaun, who is stopping the CBI from carrying out an investigation,” he remarked. He accused the BJP of politicising the issue related to the unfortunate death of Chief Engineer Vimal Negi and assured that the state government was committed to a fair and transparent inquiry.

Sukhu said the government was treating the matter with utmost sensitivity and seriousness. “Everyone wants to know the truth behind Vimal Negi’s death. His wife has also met me and we stand in full sympathy and solidarity with the bereaved family,” the Chief Minister said.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, MLAs Mohan Lal Brakta, Sunder Singh Thakur and Harish Janartha, Principal Media Adviser to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Shimla Municipal Corporation Mayor Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Additional Chief Secretary Kamlesh Kumar Pant, Secretaries Rajesh Sharma and Priyanka Basu, along with other senior officers, were present on the occasion.

Sunil Chadha