Announces ₹50 Crore Trauma Centre at Solan Hospital
S Gopal Puri
Shimla
Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today laid the foundation stone of the Centre of Excellence for Education of Divyaangjans at Tikri in Kandaghat, Solan district. He said the Centre marks a significant step towards promoting higher education for specially-abled individuals and will be the first of its kind in Himachal Pradesh, serving as a model institution for the entire country.
The Chief Minister emphasized that the state government is committed to inclusive development and welfare of all sections of society. He noted that nearly 25 percent of the construction work has already been completed. The Centre, to be built on 45 bighas of land at an estimated cost of ₹200 crore, will provide quality education, sports facilities, and residential accommodation for 300 differently-abled children. A 500 kW solar power project will also be installed at the site.
Highlighting the Centre’s scope, Sukhu said it will offer courses in higher education, special education, and skill development, along with research activities tailored to different disabilities. A working women’s hostel costing ₹15.33 crore will also be constructed under the project.
The Chief Minister detailed the government’s ongoing support for Divyaangjans, including assistive devices, financial aid, rehabilitation services, and scholarships ranging from ₹625 to ₹3,750 per month for students with over 40 percent disability. Social security pensions range between ₹1,150 and ₹1,700, while marriage grants of ₹25,000 and ₹50,000 are provided depending on the severity of disability.
Recalling earlier initiatives, Sukhu mentioned Himachal Pradesh’s first residential special school for intellectually disabled children at Heeranagar, Shimla, which provides free education, vocational training, and hostel facilities. He also highlighted accessibility measures such as ramps at bus stands and wheelchairs in hospitals.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister announced ₹50 crore for advanced specialty facilities and a trauma centre at Solan Hospital, ₹5 crore for Civil Hospital Kandaghat, and ₹1 crore for developing a sports ground in Kandaghat. He also released the 2026 calendar of Jogindra Bank.
Health Minister Dr. (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil welcomed the Chief Minister to Solan constituency and expressed gratitude for the development initiatives. MLAs Sanjay Awasthy, Vinod Sultanpuri, Vivek Sharma, HPSIDC Vice Chairman Anurag Sharma, Solan Mayor Usha Sharma, Jogindra Bank Chairman Mukesh Sharma, Bhagat Co-operative Bank Chairman Arun Sharma, APMC Solan Chairman Roshan Thakur, ESOMSA Director Sumit Khimta, and other senior officials were present.
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