Baddi’s urban leap: After HC pause, govt pushes upgrade

The state government has once again notified the upgradation of Baddi from a municipal council to a municipal corporation after addressing objections raised earlier and complying with directions of the High Court. Alongside, Kunihar has been re-notified as a nagar panchayat with revised limits.

In a relief to residents whose areas have now been merged into the expanded civic body, the government has announced exemption from property tax on land and buildings for three years, until February 25, 2029. The move is aimed at easing the transition for those brought under the urban local body framework.

The fresh notification, issued by the Principal Secretary (Urban Development) on February 25, merges 19 revenue areas from 18 gram panchayats, either fully or partially, into the upgraded Baddi Municipal Corporation. A total of 6,727 khasra numbers covering 1,15,21,062.3 sq m have been included within the new civic limits.

This is the second municipal corporation in Solan district after Solan town and the sixth in the state, joining Shimla, Dharamsala, Solan, Mandi and Palampur. Among the key industrial clusters of Baddi, Barotiwala and Nalagarh, the first two now fall within the corporation’s jurisdiction, while Nalagarh will continue as a municipal council.

The 18 gram panchayats affected by the merger include Sandholi, Haripur Sandholi, Malpur, Bhatoli Kalan, Katha, Bated, Tipra, Barotiwala, Dharampur, Kunjhal, Jharmajri, Balyana, Burranwala, Kotla, Kalyanpur, Surajmajra Gajjran, Judi Khurd and Judi Kalan. Many of these rural areas have witnessed rapid industrialisation and urbanisation over the years, prompting the government to bring them under a unified urban administrative structure.

The earlier notification issued on December 23, 2024, had been put on hold following a High Court order in December 2025 after a realtor sought consideration of his objections. After reviewing the representations and complying with court directions, the government has now formalised the revised limits.

The government, currently grappling with financial constraints, is banking on the upgraded status to access enhanced Central assistance for strengthening civic infrastructure, including water supply, sewerage, roads and other amenities. However, questions remain about whether sufficient funds will be forthcoming, given that existing urban bodies are already facing resource shortages.

Politically, the move assumes significance ahead of upcoming civic body elections, especially as sections of residents had opposed the upgradation.

Similarly, Kunihar has been re-notified as a nagar panchayat by incorporating 19,17,327 sq metres from Kunihar, Koti and Hatkot gram panchayats.