HIM MSME Fest: 37 MoUs worth Rs 10000 Crore inked, 700 Five Star Hotels to be set up in Himachal meaning 10 each in each town and its surroundings?
Shimla, January 4:
After Badal’s New Chandigarh and the original Chandigarh, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has now floated the idea of “Him Chandigarh”, a world-class city near the Chandigarh border, triggering a sharp debate on whether Himachal’s industrial push is drifting towards real estate and high-end tourism.
The announcement came at the three-day Him MSME Fest-2026 at Peterhoff here today, where the state government showcased big-ticket promises to investors.
The Chief Minister announced that 37 MoUs worth nearly ₹10,000 crore had been signed with entrepreneurs from India and abroad.
However, neither the Industries Department nor industry bodies like CII shared sector-wise details on where this investment would flow, which districts would benefit, or when projects would be grounded and jobs created.
Alongside the Him Chandigarh pitch, Sukhu announced permission for 200 five-star hotels, completion of land acquisition for Kangra airport by March 31, and improved connectivity to boost tourism.
These announcements, observers say, gave the MSME fest the feel of a real estate and hospitality showcase rather than a focused industrial roadmap.
This has raised uncomfortable questions. Where does Himachal’s industrial priority actually lie—Kala Amb, the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) belt, or Una?
Industrialists attending the conclave made it clear that their interest remains firmly in the BBN corridor, closer to Chandigarh, where supply chains, markets and logistics already exist.
Captains of industry flagged persistent delays in power connections and hurdles under Section 118 related to land permissions.
Sukhu assured them that norms under Section 118 would be eased and promised uninterrupted 24-hour power supply to industries at the lowest rates, but without committing to clear timelines.
The Chief Minister also unveiled green ambitions. He announced that all 22,000 petrol and diesel taxis in the state would be replaced with electric vehicles in a phased manner, backed by a proposed 40 per cent subsidy.
He also said tenders would soon be issued for buses operating on green hydrogen. Once again, financial details and rollout schedules were not specified.
On infrastructure, Sukhu said logistics costs in industrial areas would be reduced and facilities strengthened.
He pointed to projects such as the MSME Technology Centre, MSE Pharma Lab, gas connectivity in major industrial areas, skill development centres in Baddi and Una, and CIPET.
He also said the state has already paid its full share for the Baddi–Chandigarh railway line.
The Chief Minister highlighted the Bulk Drug Park in Una as a major achievement. Spread over 568.75 hectares, it has received final environmental clearance and involves a capital cost of ₹2,071 crore.
According to the government, it has the potential to attract ₹8,000–10,000 crore in investment and generate 15,000–20,000 direct and indirect jobs.
Officials, however, did not clarify how much investment is already committed and when employment generation will actually begin.
Industry Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan said liberal policies and simplified procedures are being framed to promote industrial growth, job creation and economic expansion.
Additional Chief Secretary (Industries) R.D. Nazim spoke about innovative initiatives, while Commissioner of Industries Dr Yunus welcomed the gathering.
Amid concerns that the Him Chandigarh announcement could push up land prices near the border and divert investor attention towards real estate, Sukhu was quick to clarify that the government does not want industrialists to become real estate agents or land investors.
He insisted that the focus remains on empowering industry and MSMEs.
Yet, the mixed messaging has left lingering doubts. With no clarity on sector-wise support, district-wise investment flow, grounding schedules or job timelines, critics say the real challenge for the Sukhu government is to ensure that Him Chandigarh does not overshadow the industrial backbone of BBN, Kala Amb and Una.
And that MoUs move beyond paper into factories, jobs and measurable outcomes.
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