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The Himachal Pradesh cabinet has approved key amendments to the Town and Country Planning Rules, 2014, placing restrictions on construction along the valley side of national highways within Shimla Municipal Corporation limits. The decision, taken during a meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, is intended to protect the visual and ecological integrity of the region.

Parliamentary Affairs Minister Harshvardhan Chauhan explained that as per the new guidelines, buildings must be constructed at least one metre below the road level to maintain the natural valley views.

In a related move, the cabinet also decided to designate the forested area near Mata Tara Devi Temple as a green zone under the Shimla Development Plan. Once notified, all construction activities in this area will be prohibited to ensure sustainable development.

The cabinet also approved the Mukhya Mantri Green Adoption Yojana, which encourages private sector involvement in plantation efforts on degraded forest land through Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives. This move aims to enhance the state’s forest cover.

Additionally, guidelines were approved for the Rajiv Gandhi Swarojgar Start-Up Yojana 2023, under which the state will provide a 50 per cent subsidy for electric taxis. Between 200 and 300 new vehicles will be made available to unemployed youth.

To further improve administrative efficiency, the cabinet approved the merger of the design wing with the civil wing in the Public Works Department.