Himachal CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Pledges Strong Support For Industrial Growth

By siliconindia  |  Monday, 05 January 2026, 08:47:13 AM IST

Himachal CM Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu Pledges Strong Support For Industrial Growth
  • Himachal CM Sukhu engages CEOs at Him MSME Fest-2026, signs 37 MoUs worth Rs 10,000 crore to boost industrial growth
  • State to roll out new industrial policy, with focus on green industrialisation, EVs, renewable energy, AI and rural industries
  • Major infrastructure and investment push announced, including EV taxis, green hydrogen buses, Bulk Drug Park and Him Chandigarh project

Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu interacted with CEOs and entrepreneurs from leading industries in India and abroad at Peterhoff in Shimla during the three-day Him MSME Fest-2026, organised by the Industries Department. The interaction witnessed extensive deliberations on expanding and promoting industrial activity in Himachal Pradesh, with a strong emphasis on sustainable and future-ready development.

On the occasion, the state government signed 37 Memoranda of Understanding with various entrepreneurs for setting up industrial enterprises involving an investment of around Rs 10,000 crore. Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said a new industrial policy would be introduced soon to further strengthen the state’s investment ecosystem. He said the government was continuously rolling out initiatives to make Himachal Pradesh an investor-friendly destination, built on trust, transparency and long-term growth.

Sukhu said the state envisions emerging as a strong economic hub by focusing on green industrialisation, renewable energy, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and rural-based industries. Highlighting the government’s commitment to clean mobility, he announced that all 22,000 petrol and diesel-run taxis in the state would be replaced with electric vehicles in a phased manner. He said a new scheme offering a 40 percent subsidy would be introduced for this purpose. He also said tenders would soon be issued to operate buses powered by green hydrogen.

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The Chief Minister assured entrepreneurs that issues related to Section 118 would be addressed and that the textile sector would receive special encouragement. He said established industries would continue to receive government support, logistics costs in industrial areas would be reduced and infrastructure would be further strengthened. Referring to connectivity, he said the state had already deposited its entire share for the Baddi-Chandigarh railway line and that land acquisition for the Kangra airport would be completed by March 31. Tourism, he said, remains a priority sector, adding that permission would be granted to set up 200 five-star hotels to boost the hospitality industry.

Announcing a major urban development initiative, Sukhu said a world-class city, Him Chandigarh, would be developed near Chandigarh within Himachal Pradesh. He assured industrialists of uninterrupted 24-hour power supply at the lowest possible rates and urged them to sign implementation agreements at the earliest.

He said the state’s industrial infrastructure was being steadily upgraded, with facilities such as the MSE Pharma Lab, MSME Technology Centre, CIPET, skill development centres in Baddi and Una, and gas connectivity in major industrial areas. Calling the Bulk Drug Park in Una a significant achievement, he said it had received final environmental clearance for 568.75 hectares and, with a project cost of Rs 2,071 crore, could attract investments of up to Rs 10,000 crore while generating 15,000 to 20,000 jobs.

Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan said liberal policies were being framed to accelerate industrial growth and employment generation, while Additional Chief Secretary R.D. Nazim detailed the state’s industrial initiatives. Commissioner of Industries Dr. Yunus welcomed the dignitaries. Mayor Surinder Chauhan, Deputy Secretary NITI Aayog Arvind Kumar and senior officials were also present.

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