Sirmaur district admn aims to boost infrastructure, export
In a significant step towards integrated infrastructure development and enhancing export capabilities at the district level, the District-Level Coordination Committee meeting was held today at the Deputy Commissioner’s Office here. The meeting, chaired by Deputy Commissioner Sumit Khimta, was convened under the provisions of the Himachal Pradesh Logistics Policy-2022, formulated in alignment with the Government of India’s ambitious PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan.
Addressing the officials present, Khimta highlighted that the PM Gati Shakti initiative is focused on the comprehensive strengthening of multi-modal connectivity infrastructure in the district. He underlined the importance of enhancing road networks, rail links, air connectivity, and transport logistics infrastructure to streamline the movement of goods and services and to reduce overall logistics costs.
Emphasising the digital nature of the scheme, he described the PM Gati Shakti as a cutting-edge platform that integrates infrastructure-related data from various departments into a unified Geographic Information System (GIS)-based interface. This digital ecosystem will serve as a decision-making tool to ensure coordinated project planning and implementation across sectors.
The DC directed all concerned departments to promptly upload detailed data on existing infrastructure assets and completed physical projects to the PM Gati Shakti portal. This includes information on roads, bridges, transport corridors, logistics hubs, and other relevant facilities. Additionally, he instructed departments to share comprehensive plans and timelines of upcoming government-approved projects. By doing so, departments will be able to identify and resolve potential conflicts or overlaps in project execution, ensuring smooth coordination and efficient use of public resources.
Following this, the DC also presided over a meeting of the District Export Promotion Committee, where he emphasised the need for a well-structured District Export Action Plan. He encouraged departments to collaboratively assess the district’s export potential by identifying high-demand products and local industries with the capability to scale up for regional, national and international markets. Referring to the government’s broader economic vision, he stressed the importance of promoting awareness about national and state-level export policies, especially among small and medium enterprises, farmer-producer groups, and local artisans.
He noted that Sirmaur district possesses significant potential in several sectors such as organic farming, horticulture, herbal product manufacturing and traditional handicrafts. A focused export strategy for these sectors can contribute meaningfully to local employment generation and overall economic development. He also called on departments to facilitate the participation of local producers in various capacity-building initiatives, trade fairs, and government export promotion schemes.
During the meeting, the General Manager of the District Industries Centre, Sakshi Sati, presented a comprehensive overview of sector-specific export opportunities in Sirmaur. He outlined the logistical and infrastructural challenges that need to be addressed and discussed key measures to improve product competitiveness, such as better packaging, quality certification and digital marketing support for local businesses.
The meeting concluded with clear instructions for all departments to submit the required data to the PM Gati Shakti portal within the stipulated timeline and to work jointly on drafting a robust District Export Action Plan. The discussions held during the meeting are expected to play a pivotal role in enhancing infrastructural efficiency, promoting inter-departmental coordination, and unlocking new economic opportunities for the district.
Himachal Tribune