Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu invited industry leaders to invest in the tourism, food processing, and Information Technology sectors in Himachal Pradesh. Presiding over the Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) Himachal Pradesh Annual Conference on the theme, “Building a Future-Ready Himachal Pradesh for a Better Tomorrow: Harnessing Local Strengths for Global Competitiveness” in Shimla late Thursday evening, he said the state government is actively promoting green industries, considering the state’s unique geographical and environmental conditions.
He further said the government would provide all possible support and necessary facilities to industries, and that investment in tourism and hospitality sectors is being actively encouraged. Sukhu said the government plans to invest Rs 3,000 crore in tourism in the coming future.
He said heliports were being constructed at district headquarters and prominent tourist places of the state, and heli-taxi services have already been introduced, with plans to expand this facility. Additionally, expansion of the Kangra airport is underway.
The Chief Minister assured that industrialists would face no harassment and that their grievances could be brought directly to his notice. He further stated that a Bulk Drug Park is being developed at Haroli, Una district, where incentives are being offered to investors. Emphasising improvements in the single-window system, he said all clearances for industries should be provided at one place, with the Industries Department actively facilitating investors.
Sukhu said most industries in the state are located along the borders with neighboring states. The government is focusing on improving infrastructure in these areas. Underground utility ducts, similar to those in Shimla, will be developed in Baddi, and efforts are underway to address power load issues in industrial zones.
He said the state government is bearing 50 per cent of the cost, along with land acquisition expenses, to extend railway connectivity to Baddi, which would benefit industries associated with BBMB.
He remarked that Himachal Pradesh serves as the “lungs of North India” as well as a “water bowl,” but it has been deprived of its rightful share. He said that financial assistance under Article 275(1) of the Constitution, earlier provided to the state in the form of Revenue Deficit Grants (RDG), had been discontinued and the present government was fighting to restore it.
Industries Minister Harshwardhan Chauhan said that Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu was the first Chief Minister of the State, who had been laying special emphasis on resource mobilization. He added that the people of Himachal Pradesh had continuously faced natural disasters. In 2024, the state also witnessed a political crisis, but the government confronted these challenges with resilience. He said that the State Government extended assistance to disaster-affected people from its own resources. However, despite the Prime Minister’s announcement, disaster-affected families in Himachal Pradesh are still awaiting financial assistance of Rs. 1,500 crore from the Centre, he added.
Director Industries Dr. Yunus, CII Northern Region Chairperson Anjali Singh, Deepan Garg, Puneet Kaura, Sanjay Suri from CII and other dignitaries were also present on the occasion.
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