CHANDIGARH: On Saturday, November 27, the Himachal Pradesh Urban Development and Housing Authority (HIMUDA) announced its decision to develop 1,731 bighas of underutilised land, rather than purchasing new land, in order to generate revenue. Suresh Bhardwaj, Minister of Urban Development, Government of Himachal Pradesh, chaired a meeting of HIMUDA officials for improving authority’s working and fiscal conditions.
After the meeting, Bhardwaj said that HIMUDA is an important agency overlooking the development of state. He added that the agency is contemplating to adopt a land-pooling policy. HIMUDA had purchased 1,731 bigha land at various places across the state for Rs 156 crore. “Now, instead of buying more land, the agency will develop such land to generate revenue”, added Bhardwaj. According to the proposal, HIMUDA develops and markets the land owned by willing private owners without actually acquiring it.
Bharadwaj also informed that the agency has been approaching department of industries and horticulture for leasing out chunks of land in different parts of the state.