Citizen Connect 2.0: Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Pushes for Tech-Driven Urban Governance

Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday inaugurated the second phase of the Citizen Connect Programme under the state government’s flagship initiative ‘Clean City, Prosperous City’, marking a major push towards citizen-centric and technology-driven urban governance in Himachal Pradesh.

Addressing the programme, the Chief Minister said Himachal Pradesh is witnessing a steady and positive transformation on the path to self-reliance, with the government focusing on inclusive, transparent and sustainable urban development to meet the challenges posed by rapid urbanisation and population growth.

As part of Citizen Connect 2.0, Sukhu launched a series of key initiatives, including the Rajiv Gandhi Laghu Dukaandaar Sukh Kalyan Yojna, 15 Municipal Shared Services Centres, nine online citizen services, the Chief Minister Urban Digital Identity Scheme, an awards scheme under the Swachhata Survey, Central Business Districts (CBDs) in Hamirpur and Shimla, and hydraulic parking facilities under the Urban Development Department.

The Chief Minister also distributed settlement letters to small traders and award letters to Self-Help Groups under the Amrit Mitra Scheme. Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) were felicitated for exemplary performance, while the Urban Development Department signed four memoranda of understanding (MoUs) with industrial houses in the CM’s presence.

Outlining the government’s future roadmap, Sukhu announced plans to develop a world-class Him–Chandigarh city near Baddi, aimed at boosting planned urban expansion and economic growth. He said the government is committed to strengthening governance, enhancing citizen participation and ensuring transparency across the state’s 75 urban local bodies.

The Chief Minister revealed that urban development projects worth Rs 707 crore would be implemented shortly across the state, while additional facilities worth Rs 500 crore are planned for Shimla alone. He added that utility ducts would be developed in all municipal corporations on the lines of the Shimla model.

Sukhu lauded the Him Seva Facility Portal, calling it a unique national initiative that delivers citizen services through a single digital platform. He also highlighted major ongoing and proposed projects, including a Rs 400 crore shopping complex in Mandi, Rs 150 crore city beautification works in Hamirpur, and a shopping complex at the old bus stand in Hamirpur.

“Every urban household will be assigned a unique digital identity through digital door plates. Urban local bodies that secure a place among the top 100 cities in national cleanliness rankings will be rewarded to encourage healthy competition,” the CM said.

Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh said the state is strengthening urban infrastructure in line with the growing population and leveraging modern technology to accelerate and improve the quality of urban development across Himachal Pradesh.

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