Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Lays Foundation Stone of ‘Himachal Haat’ in Shimla.
Project to promote Himachali products, empower women SHGs under HIMIRA brand.
Shimla:
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today laid the foundation stone of the much-awaited ‘Himachal Haat’ near the Lift in Shimla — a landmark project aimed at promoting authentic Himachali products and strengthening the livelihoods of rural entrepreneurs, particularly women Self Help Groups (SHGs).
To be constructed at an estimated cost of Rs. 2 crore, the Himachal Haat will be developed as a modern tensile structure comprising 24 to 25 shops, which will be allotted to SHGs from all 12 districts of Himachal Pradesh. The project will provide a permanent and vibrant marketplace for the sale of handicrafts, handloom, food processing products, traditional cuisines, and other rural art forms under one roof.
Speaking at the occasion, Chief Minister Sukhu said that the State Government is fully committed to strengthening the rural economy and empowering women through self-employment and entrepreneurship initiatives. Highlighting the success of the HIMIRA brand, he shared that the sale of products under the brand has already generated an income of Rs. 25 lakh for women SHGs, and the figure is expected to rise significantly in the coming months.
He further stated that the government has distributed food vans to SHGs, enabling them to earn around Rs. 50,000 per month, and plans are underway to provide 60 additional food vans to enhance their income opportunities.
Reiterating the government’s commitment to urban development in Shimla, the Chief Minister announced several ongoing projects, including the construction of a utility duct costing Rs. 145 crore for shifting power lines underground. He also emphasized efforts to ensure 24×7 water and power supply in the city and informed that work is in progress to convert the Circular Road into a double-lane route to ease traffic congestion. “Our government is taking concrete steps to make Himachal Pradesh self-reliant, and the results of these efforts will soon be visible to the public,” he added.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh, who was also present, said that the Himachal Haat is a manifestation of the Chief Minister’s vision to empower rural women and promote self-reliance. He informed that the Haat will be spread over 4,000 square feet and is targeted for completion within eight months. He extended gratitude to Mayor Surender Chauhan and the Municipal Corporation Shimla for providing land for the project.
The event was attended by MLAs Harish Janartha and Suresh Kumar, Principal Advisor (Media) to the Chief Minister Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Chairman, HP Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Narender Kanwar, Secretary Rajesh Sharma, Director, Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Raghav Sharma, and CEO, SRLM Shivam Pratap Singh, along with other senior officers and distinguished guests.
Once completed, the Himachal Haat is expected to emerge as a hub of Himachali culture, entrepreneurship, and tourism, reflecting the state’s rich tradition and the growing spirit of self-reliance among its women entrepreneurs.
