PLANNED DEVELOPMENT
CM Sukhu's Vision for Him-Chandigarh: Himachal to Build World-Class Township Near Chandigarh Border
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has set in motion development of a major world-class township near the Chandigarh border, named Him-Chandigarh, to address growing housing demand and support structured urban expansion in the state. The state cabinet has approved acquisition of 3,400 bigha of land at Shitalpur in the Baddi area of Solan district, with HIMUDA (Himachal Pradesh Housing & Urban Development Authority) leading the project.
| Project Name | Him-Chandigarh Township, a proposed township near Chandigarh in Solan district |
|---|---|
| Location | Located in the Shitalpur-Baddi belt of the Solan district, approximately 30 km from Chandigarh |
| Land Approved | Cabinet approved acquisition of 3,400 Bigha of land, with landowners' consent largely secured; up to 3,700 Bigha will be acquired to meet planning requirements |
| Key Announcement Date | Announced by CM Sukhu on January 5, 2026 |
| Cabinet Approval | Cabinet has already approved the acquisition of 3,400 Bigha of land |
| Land Composition | Around 1,500 bigha is government-owned, while the remainder falls under private ownership |
| Initial Planning Directive | On November 3, 2025, CM directed HIMUDA to explore developing new townships in proximity with Chandigarh to meet growing housing demand |
| Developing Authority | Project will be developed under supervision of Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) |
| Connected Infrastructure | Township will help connect the Baddi-Nalagarh industrial corridor and the Tricity |
| Project Status (as of July 2026) | Project is currently in the planning stage; construction has not yet begun |
The Directive: How It Started
On November 3, 2025, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu presided over a meeting of Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) to review various ongoing and proposed projects. He directed HIMUDA to explore the possibilities of developing new townships in proximity with Chandigarh to facilitate the people of the State and meet the growing housing demand. During the same meeting, Sukhu reviewed the proposed Jathiya Devi Township near Shimla city and directed HIMUDA to appoint a consultant at the earliest to expedite the project.
Cabinet Approval and the Project Vision
On January 5, 2026, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced plans for a world-class Him-Chandigarh township. The township has been approved at the cabinet level and was announced under his leadership, with Sukhu saying, 'We have decided to build a large, world-class city in Himachal Pradesh. Carrying forward the 'Him' identity of the state, the city will be named 'Him-Chandigarh.' A cabinet sub-committee was set up for exploring the possibilities of developing a township and its report was accepted by the cabinet.
Land Acquisition Strategy
Three panchayats are willing to give land for the township through land pooling and the cabinet had already approved the transfer of 3,400 bigha land to the housing department. The cabinet has approved the acquisition of 3,400 Bigha of land, with landowners' consent largely secured. Of the identified land, around 1,500 bigha is government-owned, while the remainder falls under private ownership and will be procured after completing statutory procedures. To meet planning requirements, up to 3,700 Bigha will be acquired. More land would be acquired in the next six months and consultants would be appointed soon to ensure world-class amenities in the town.
Geographic Location and Strategic Purpose
Him-Chandigarh is a proposed township near Chandigarh in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, planned to support organised residential and economic development. The township will enable the development of a modern urban center and also help connect the Baddi-Nalagarh industrial corridor and the Tricity. The township has been conceptualized and envisioned to become a planned development initiative for a township to tackle the problems posed by uncontrolled growth and infrastructure pressures encountered in contemporary hill towns.
Development and Sustainability Approach
The Him-Chandigarh township will be developed in phases to ensure organized urban growth and adequate civic infrastructure. The state government plans to pool village panchayat land across the border while preserving roughly 10,000 Bigha of forest area to maintain ecological balance. The township will also cover the Baddi-Nalagarh industrial corridor, enhancing connectivity between industrial and residential zones.
Wider Township Initiative
Beyond Him-Chandigarh at Sheetalpur in Baddi, HIMUDA is also planning a new township at Morni Hills in Pachhad and another planned development township at Lunj near the Kangra Airport. In February 2026, Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani chaired the HIMUDA Board meeting and approved preliminary steps for these key projects with an initial funding allocation of Rs 5 crore.
What Comes Next
The project is currently in the planning stage; construction has not yet begun. Immediate next steps include consultant appointments, master planning, detailed land acquisition completion, and finalization of infrastructure and civic design. The government is committed to providing affordable housing and planned urban development for citizens across Himachal Pradesh.
Development phases
Frequently asked questions
What is Him-Chandigarh?
Him-Chandigarh is a proposed township near Chandigarh in Solan district, Himachal Pradesh, planned to support organised residential and economic development. It is a world-class planned township in the Shitalpur-Baddi region near the Chandigarh border, part of the long-term plans to ensure planned urbanization and alleviate pressure on saturated hill towns.
How much land has been approved?
Cabinet approved acquisition of 3,400 Bigha of land, with landowners' consent largely secured. To meet planning requirements, up to 3,700 Bigha will be acquired. Of the identified land, around 1,500 bigha is government-owned, while the remainder falls under private ownership.
Who will develop the township?
The project will be developed under the supervision of the Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA).
Where is the township located?
The township is located in the Shitalpur-Baddi belt of the Solan district. It is approximately 30 km from Chandigarh, at the border between Himachal Pradesh and Chandigarh.
When will construction begin?
The project is currently in the planning stage; construction has not yet begun. Consultants are being appointed and master planning is underway, but no construction timeline has been announced as of July 2026.
What is the purpose of this township?
The township will enable the development of a modern urban center and also help connect the Baddi-Nalagarh industrial corridor and the Tricity. It has been conceptualized to tackle problems posed by uncontrolled growth and infrastructure pressures in contemporary hill towns.
Sources
- CM reviews HIMUDA projects, directs development of new townships
- Sukhu pushes for new townships near Chandigarh
- Him-Chandigarh Township | Planned New City
- Himachal Govt to develop world-class Him-Chandigarh Township
- HIMUDA greenlights new townships in Himachal; Rs 5 crore initial fund
- 'Him-Chandigarh' township to come up at Shitalpur
- Himachal Pradesh Cabinet approves world-class township at Shitalpur
- Himachal clears 3,000-bigha Shitalpur township around Baddi
- World-class township to come up on Himachal border will be named Him-Chandigarh CM