HP SECRETARIAT’S NEW ₹30.33-CRORE BLOCK PROMISES BETTER CIVIC ACCESS, BUT STARK CONTRAST WITH HERITAGE ELLERSLIE SPARKS DEBATE FACES LEGAL BATTLE.
SHIMLA, SEPTEMBER 21:
Standing in sharp aesthetic contrast to the classic stonework of the iconic British-era Ellerslie building, the newly inaugurated Chief Minister’s Office (CMO) block at the Himachal Pradesh Secretariat missed an attempt to bridge the gap between historic preservation and modern civic convenience.
Inaugurated by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Monday, the ₹30.33-crore Phase II expansion promises to streamline administration and relieve chronic traffic bottlenecks in the capital, even as its modern concrete design draws mixed reactions for veering away from the precinct’s traditional masonry.
Adding further fuel to the debate, Chief Minister Sukhu ensured that not only his name but also his photograph was prominently featured on the official inauguration plaque—a unprecedented move that critics have blasted as a clear display of self-aggrandizement and cheap publicity.
Local political observers noted that no previous Chief Minister in Himachal Pradesh's history had ever gone to the extent of having their image etched onto a state building's commemorative plaque.
The gesture has drawn sharp disapproval across administrative and political circles, with many pointing out that while former leaders relied on their governance record and conducted public interactions at Oakover, the current leadership seems uniquely focused on high-visibility self-promotion amidst a backdrop of fiscal strain and heritage visual discord.
The inauguration of the new structure has now acquired a fresh legal dimension, with the Himachal Pradesh High Court examining the challenge to construction in the historic Secretariat complex.
A public interest litigation has questioned the alteration of the heritage setting, particularly the starkly contrasting new structure standing alongside the old heritage building, prompting the court to issue notice to the Secretary, Government of Himachal Pradesh.
The crucial point, however, is that the High Court has not stayed the inauguration; it has merely issued notice in the pending PIL.
Against this backdrop, the government’s decision to proceed with the inauguration today has intensified questions over whether administrative haste has been allowed to overtake the larger issue of preserving Shimla’s heritage.
Civic Access and De-congestion
The new facility puts public accessibility at the forefront, featuring 15 dedicated rooms and expanded waiting areas specifically built to accommodate visiting citizens and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Talking to the media persons Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted that the facility solves long-standing operational hurdles.
Previously, citizens faced difficulties meeting the Chief Minister, while vehicles parked along the roadside caused severe traffic congestion outside the Secretariat complex.
He said the previous BJP government spent Rs 1000 Crore in buildings. But CMO complex was need of hour and would facilitate future CMs as well regardless of parties including "opposition if it comes to power after 15 or so years".
With the new block, all parked vehicles will shift to a designated lower-level parking area, significantly easing movement along the main corridor from Sanjauli to Old Bus Stand.
Beyond housing the CMO, Phase II brings the Chief Secretary and Principal Secretaries under a single, unified administrative roof. The Chief Minister also announced that Phase 3 will be constructed to accommodate cabinet ministers.
Politics, Heritage & Finances
Despite the functional advantages, the inauguration has sparked political and architectural debate across the capital. Observers noted that Chief Minister Sukhu appeared in a hurry to etch his name on the Secretariat’s inauguration plaque—a move critics point out was rarely deemed necessary by his predecessors.
Historically, former Chief Ministers routinely conducted public meetings and citizen interactions directly at the official CM residence, Oakover, maintaining administrative accessibility without the need for rapid infrastructural additions.
Furthermore, the new structure has drawn scrutiny from urban planners and heritage enthusiasts. The modern concrete facade stands at odds with the quaint, historic masonry of Ellerslie—the heart of the Raj-era capital—leading critics to contend that no thought was applied to use matching stone masonry to give the complex a uniform look.
Additionally, as the Chief Minister unveiled the new expansion, onlookers noted that the ceremony focused heavily on physical additions while sidestepping pressing questions regarding the state’s current financial condition.
As Phase II opens for daily government business, the new complex represents an ambitious attempt to deliver citizen-first governance and modern efficiency right alongside Shimla’s cherished historic core.
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