In a first-of-its-kind initiative in the country, the Himachal Pradesh Government has approved a policy mandating monthly quality inspections and certifications for all PWD rest houses and circuit houses across the state. This decision, aimed at ensuring improved guest experience and transparency in facility management, was announced by CM Sukhu.
Sukhu stated that the State Government is committed to providing uniform and high-quality services to government officials, common citizens, and tourists alike. He emphasized that the rest houses are being thrown open for public use, and their maintenance will now be monitored 12 times a year, i.e., once every month—making Himachal the first state in the country to undertake such rigorous upkeep protocols.
Secretary, PWD, Abhishek Jain informed that under the guidance of PWD Minister Vikramaditya Singh, a comprehensive maintenance checklist has been developed. This checklist includes over 50 quality parameters covering various aspects such as:
-
Structural integrity (roofs, ceilings, walls, leakages)
-
Electrical systems and appliances
-
Gardens, parking areas, and cleanliness
-
Water supply, sewerage, and purification systems
-
Kitchen and washroom hygiene
-
Furniture quality, beds, quilts, and pillows
-
Availability and condition of fire extinguishers
Inspections will be conducted monthly by Junior Engineers and SDOs, with reports verified by the respective Executive Engineers. These reports will be uploaded online to ensure transparency and accountability and will be used for performance grading—from ‘very good’ to ‘poor’.
Currently, the state has 275 PWD rest houses (1335 rooms) and 21 circuit houses (222 rooms). The online reservation system for these facilities is already operational, making them accessible to both officials and general public. Signages for directions and distance will also be installed at each facility to aid visitors.
To encourage high standards, quarterly awards will be given to the best-performing rest and circuit houses, based on cleanliness, upkeep, and staff behavior.
Jain emphasized, “Since boarding and lodging rates have been standardized for all categories of visitors, it becomes our responsibility to ensure consistent quality and comfort.” He also noted that the inspection checklist will be publicly available on the official PWD website: http://hppwd.hp.gov.in
This initiative is expected to enhance footfall, build public trust, and position Himachal Pradesh as a model for public facility management across India.
