Town and Country Planning Minister Rajesh Dharmani today reaffirmed the state government’s commitment to transforming Himachal Pradesh into a green energy state, announcing a series of decisive legislative measures aimed at promoting sustainable urban infrastructure.
Highlighting reforms under the Himachal Pradesh Town and Country Planning (17th Amendment) Rules, 2026, the minister said the installation of Electric Vehicle (EV) charging stations has now been made mandatory in all commercial, public, semi-public buildings and real estate projects. The initiative aligns with the Model Building Bye-Laws and is designed to ensure that the state’s infrastructure keeps pace with the growing adoption of electric mobility.
To further strengthen energy efficiency, the government has strictly enforced the HP Energy Conservation Building Code (HPECBC) and Rules, 2018. Under these norms, specialized buildings — including hospitality, healthcare, educational institutions and shopping complexes with a built-up area of 750 square meters or more — will be eligible for an additional 0.25 Floor Area Ratio (FAR) over the base FAR of 1.75, provided they comply with Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC) standards.
The minister added that developers must engage Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)-authorized Energy Auditors to review project designs and supervise construction to ensure compliance before occupancy certificates are issued by municipal authorities.
Detailing provisions under the 18th Amendment Rules, 2026, Dharmani also outlined a structured fee system for Premium FAR in real estate projects. Charges have been fixed at ₹3,000 per square meter for up to 0.25 premium FAR and increase to ₹7,000 per square meter for premium FAR exceeding 0.50. While the new charges will not apply to projects that have already secured completion certificates, they will be mandatory for new blocks in ongoing developments and all future real estate ventures. Developers will also have the flexibility to purchase additional FAR at the initial planning stage.
The measures, he emphasized, mark a significant step toward integrating sustainable growth with urban expansion in the hill state.
Nurturing Creativity – Keekli Charitable Trust, Shimla
