Delegation urges Himachal CM to shift govt offices from Shimla to Dharamshala

Move seen as win-win: economic boost for Dharamshala, traffic relief for Shimla

Shimla/Dharamshala:
A delegation from Dharamshala, led by Congress leader Devinder Jaggi, met Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu in Shimla with a proposal to shift select government offices from Shimla to Dharamshala.

The move, they argued, would both reduce the financial burden of operating out of rented premises and help address Shimla’s growing traffic congestion.

The delegation pointed out that several government offices in Shimla currently function from rented buildings, incurring significant recurring costs for the state exchequer.

In contrast, they said, multiple government-owned buildings in Dharamshala remained underutilised and could serve as a cost-effective alternative.

“Relocating offices would not only bring administrative decentralisation but also offer economic stimulation for the Kangra region,” Jaggi said after the meeting.

The members of the delegation emphasised that Dharamshala, already declared the state’s winter capital, was equipped with the necessary infrastructure and better suited to accommodate administrative operations, particularly given its improving road and digital connectivity.

They also said such a move would ease the burden on Shimla, which is grappling with severe traffic congestion and pressure on civic amenities.

“By reducing the administrative load in Shimla, we can improve quality of life for its residents and revive Dharamshala’s role as an administrative hub,” one of the delegates said.

Chief Minister Sukhu assured the delegation that their proposal would be examined seriously. “We are open to all suggestions that reduce unnecessary expenses and ensure balanced regional development,” he told the delegation.

If acted upon, the move could also contribute to broader efforts at regional equity, a long-standing demand in the hill state where the bulk of administrative power has remained concentrated in Shimla, said an official.

The visit comes amid growing calls from various quarters to ensure that development is evenly spread across Himachal Pradesh, especially in regions like Kangra and Chamba that often feel left out of major policy decisions

Sunil Chadha