Hamirpur, Aug 14: Himachal Pradesh will get its first dedicated Science College in Hamirpur and an AIIMS‑level Ayurvedic institute in the district, Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said on Friday, while announcing initial funding and land allocations for the projects.
Key projects and funding announced
Speaking at the annual prize distribution function of a government college in Hamirpur, the chief minister said the Science College is estimated to cost ₹100 crore, and ₹20 crore has already been released for the project. He said 80 kanals (10 acres) of land has been identified for the college.
Sukhu also announced the setting up of an allied and healthcare college in Hamirpur. In addition, he said a major Ayurvedic facility modelled on AIIMS standards would be established on 74 acres in the district, according to a statement issued by the government.
“Kangra had been accorded the status of the ‘Tourism Capital of the State’, while Hamirpur was the ‘Education Capital’ of Himachal Pradesh,” the chief minister said.
Other education measures cited
The chief minister highlighted additional steps the state government said it has taken to improve educational access and quality. The government has opened over 156 CBSE schools to expand quality schooling closer to rural communities, and officials reported an increase in student enrolment by 24,000 following the expansion. The statement also said ₹80 crore has been released for the functioning and infrastructure of these schools.
Sukhu said the government is working to address the shortage of teachers in higher education and is pursuing rationalisation of colleges to ensure optimal use of resources. He underlined recruitment drives being conducted through the State Selection Commission and the Himachal Pradesh Public Service Commission as part of efforts to provide public sector employment to youth.
Infrastructure inaugurated in Hamirpur
At the event, the chief minister inaugurated several facilities in Hamirpur. These included a state‑of‑the‑art SRT Lab at the Deputy Director Agriculture Office complex, constructed at a reported cost of ₹8.64 crore, and a CBT (computer‑based test) lab at Hamirpur Degree College built at a cost of ₹1.5 crore. He also opened a library equipped with 70 (the statement did not specify the remaining words) as part of the college amenities.
| Project | Land | Estimated cost / released |
|---|---|---|
| Science College (first in HP) | 80 kanals (10 acres) | Estimated ₹100 crore; ₹20 crore released |
| AIIMS‑level Ayurvedic institute | 74 acres | Not specified |
| SRT Lab (Deputy Director Agriculture) | — | ₹8.64 crore (constructed) |
| CBT Lab (Hamirpur Degree College) | — | ₹1.5 crore (constructed) |
Claims on recruitment integrity and rankings
The chief minister contrasted the present government’s record on recruitment examinations with that of the previous administration. He said, according to the statement, that during his government's tenure there have been no leaks of recruitment examination papers, and alleged that question paper leaks and irregularities occurred under the earlier BJP dispensation. The statement added that the state had improved its ranking in quality of education from 21st to fifth following reforms undertaken by the current government.
What this means for Hamirpur and students
- The proposed Science College would provide dedicated facilities for science teaching and research in a district the chief minister called the state’s "Education Capital".
- The Allied and Healthcare College, together with an AIIMS‑level Ayurvedic institute, could expand training and employment opportunities in health and traditional medicine locally.
- Release of seed funds (₹20 crore) indicates early stage mobilisation; further project approvals, detailed project reports, tendering and construction timelines have not been specified in the statement.
Officials did not provide a detailed timeline for construction, faculty recruitment or the courses to be offered. Stakeholders, including local educationists and prospective students, will be looking for project schedules and admission criteria once the government releases detailed notifications and tender documents.
The announcements add to a wider set of education initiatives the state government has highlighted recently, but implementation details and monitoring mechanisms will be crucial to translate the proposed investments into classrooms, laboratories and trained faculty.
