In a major technological leap for mountain agriculture, Horticulture Minister Jagat Singh Negi inaugurated Himachal Pradesh’s very first HP SHIVA Monorail Project at the Palhota-2 Cluster in Mandi district. Built at a cost of ₹20 lakh, this 1-kilometer-long monorail system is set to transform how produce is transported across difficult and steeply sloped terrains.
The Palhota-2 cluster spans 28.44 hectares and supports 85 farming families. By automating the movement of freshly harvested fruits and crops, the monorail will drastically reduce manual labor, cut down transportation time, and protect fragile produce from damage during transit.
Addressing the gathering, the Minister emphasized the state government’s commitment to integrating smart technology into rural farming. “Modern infrastructure like monorails will act as a game-changer for Himachali horticulturists, boosting efficiency and safeguarding their hard work,” he stated.
The initiative is part of the flagship ₹1,292-crore ADB-funded HP SHIVA Project, currently transforming rural economies across seven districts (Bilaspur, Hamirpur, Kangra, Mandi, Solan, Sirmaur, and Una). To further maximize benefits for local growers, the project timeline has been extended by two years, running through June 2030. Additionally, February 27, 2027, has been fixed as the strict deadline to complete Phase-1 activities across 3,000 hectares and hand over fully developed clusters to local farming communities.
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