CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu lays foundation stone for ‘Himachal Haat’ near Lift in Shimla: A new marketplace to empower SHG women

CM Sukhu Lays Foundation Stone for ‘Himachal Haat’ Near Shimla Lift: A Hub for Authentic Himachali Products and Women Empowerment

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday laid the foundation stone for ‘Himachal Haat’ near the Lift in Shimla. The project, to be developed at a cost of ₹2 crore, aims to create a vibrant marketplace that will showcase authentic Himachali products while empowering rural entrepreneurs, especially women associated with Self-Help Groups (SHGs), under the Him-Ira brand.

Designed as a modern tensile structure housing 24–25 shops, the Himachal Haat will be allocated to SHGs from all 12 districts of the state. The market will feature a wide range of rural art and crafts, handloom, handicrafts, processed food products, and traditional Himachali cuisine — all under one roof. The initiative will provide a sustainable marketing and livelihood platform for women entrepreneurs across Himachal Pradesh.

Speaking on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that the state government is committed to strengthening the rural economy and empowering SHGs through the marketing of their products under the Him-Ira brand. “These groups have already generated ₹25 lakh in income through sales, and this is expected to rise significantly in the coming months,” he said.

He further noted that SHGs have also been provided with food vans, which are helping them earn an average of ₹50,000 per month. “We are now planning to distribute 60 additional food vans soon,” he added.

Highlighting ongoing urban development projects in Shimla, the Chief Minister mentioned that the government is working to improve civic infrastructure — including a ₹145 crore utility duct project to shift power lines underground, and initiatives to ensure 24-hour water and electricity supply. Efforts are also underway to widen 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 people,” Sukhu said.

Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh described the Himachal Haat as a reflection of the Chief Minister’s visionary commitment to women’s empowerment and self-reliance. He said the project, spread over 4,000 square feet, is targeted for completion within eight months. Singh also thanked Mayor Surender Chauhan and the Shimla Municipal Corporation for providing land for the project.

The event was attended by MLAs Harish Janartha and Suresh Kumar, Chief Minister’s Principal Advisor (Media) Naresh Chauhan, Mayor Surender Chauhan, Deputy Mayor Uma Kaushal, Himachal Pradesh Building and Other Construction Workers Welfare Board Chairman Narendra Kanwar, Secretary Rajesh Sharma, Director (Rural Development and Panchayati Raj) Raghav Sharma, SRLM CEO Shivam Pratap Singh, and several other senior officials and dignitaries.