Pallavi Sharma
Dharamshala:
The Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) has officially shifted its headquarters from Shimla to Dharamshala, drawing enthusiastic reactions, especially from residents of Kangra and surrounding districts, who see this as a long-overdue step toward regional equity and tourism decentralisation.
The new HPTDC headquarters will now function from Hotel Kashmir House in Dharamshala. Until now, the corporation had been operating out of a rented building in Shimla since 1972. As per the latest notification issued by the state government on July 28, the office has now been relocated and is operational in its new location.
Decision backed by cabinet, driven by regional vision
The move was approved earlier in Cabinet and Board of Directors meetings, led by HPTDC Chairman RS Bali, who had been lobbying for the shift since April this year. Bali pointed out that many government buildings in Kangra, including Hotel Kunal, Kashmir House and Rajiyana, were lying unused and could be repurposed effectively.
“Shimla is overburdened and Kangra has the infrastructure and space to support this transition,” said Bali. “This decision not only decentralises tourism governance but also helps promote balanced development across Himachal.”
Local residents call it historic move
The decision has sparked widespread appreciation across Kangra, Chamba and other lower Himachal districts, which often feel side-lined in state-level planning.
Manish Sareen, Congress leader from Dalhousie, called it “a historic and visionary move”, stating: “RS Bali has resolved future tourism traffic and infrastructure challenges before they arise. The shift to Dharamshala is a game-changer for Chamba and the surrounding tourism belts.”
Sakshi Thakur from McLeodganj said: “This decision will boost on-ground coordination and tourism policy implementation. Having the headquarters nearby gives us access to officials and faster redressal of issues.”
Ramesh Chand, a tour operator in Palampur, said, “Finally, lower Himachal feels visible. This is not just a change in address; it’s a shift in attention and investment.”
While the central office moves to Dharamshala, Shimla will continue to function as a zonal office, maintaining key operational roles. About 75 staff members, including the MD, GM and AGM, are being relocated to the new headquarters.
