HPTDC Headquarters to Shift from Shimla to Kangra After Five Decades in Historic Government Move

Shimla, April 30: In a landmark decision, the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) will shift its headquarters from the state capital Shimla to Kangra district. The announcement was made by HPTDC Chairman and Nagrota Bagwan MLA Raghubir Singh Bali following a Board of Directors (BoD) meeting held on Wednesday. He stated that the new headquarters will be established either in Dharamshala or another suitable location within Kangra.

The HPTDC headquarters has been based in Shimla since its establishment in 1972. Now, after 52 years, the process of relocation is set to begin with immediate effect.

Bali clarified that while the corporate headquarters, Managing Director, and top administrative offices will move to Kangra, the Shimla-based zonal office will continue to function as before, with staff posted there as usual. The Secretary of the Tourism Department will also remain based in Shimla. The move is expected to reduce the burden on Shimla offices and is being seen as a key step toward administrative decongestion.

Highlighting HPTDC’s recent financial success, Bali noted that the corporation recorded a turnover of ₹107 crore in the last financial year, with a net profit of ₹41 crore—crossing the ₹100 crore mark for the first time in its history. He emphasized that this milestone was achieved without any financial grant from the government, reflecting HPTDC’s growing self-reliance.

He added that the corporation is actively cutting unnecessary expenses, particularly by reducing redundant staff positions in centrally located hotels, to optimize resources. Over the past two and a half years, HPTDC has also disbursed ₹41 crore to its pensioners.

The BoD has also decided to assess and revive non-operational properties. Expert consultants will be engaged to evaluate closed hotels and cafés to explore the possibility of reopening them. Renovation of several hotels is also on the cards to offer modern facilities to tourists.

Despite natural disasters and other challenges, Bali said, the state government has taken effective measures to revive the tourism sector. As a result, HPTDC is now emerging as a financially strong, efficient, and self-sustaining public enterprise.