Hatkoti in Shimla and Manikaran and Naggar in Kullu to be included in special Area

The Himachal Pradesh government has expanded special planning areas to include Hatkoti in Shimla district, and Manikaran and Naggar in Kullu district. This is to control development and protect the environment.

Hatkoti Special Area in Shimla district has been marked out by the Town and Country Planning Department. The new plan freezes land use for five years to prevent damage from quick changes.

New villages like Saraswati Nagar, Chandrapur, Viratnagar, and others have been added, covering 244 hectares with 3576 residents.

For Manikaran and Naggar, special development authorities have been set up. These include local representatives, planners, and community members to plan development carefully.

The government wants sustainable growth and to prevent disasters, especially after recent monsoon damage. By regulating land use and planning carefully, they aim to balance development with protecting the environment and residents’ well-being.