Sukhu’s pet project, tenders issued for Rs 67 crore mini-secretariat in Dehra

The Public Works Department (PWD) has floated tenders for the construction of a state-of-the-art mini-secretariat at Dehra in Kangra district, a flagship development initiative spearheaded by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu.

The project, valued at Rs 67.34 crore (Rs 52.68 crore for civil works and Rs 14.65 crore for electrical installations) is to be built on 18 kanals. The design of the project is already finalised and the construction is expected to be completed within two years.

The mini-secretariat is a pet project of the Chief Minister, whose wife Kamlesh Thakur represents the Dehra Assembly constituency. Sources close to the family say that Kamlesh played a key role in advocating for the project to address the long-pending demand of the local populace.

The modern complex will replace the current PWD and Electricity Board buildings, which will be temporarily shifted. The new infrastructure will feature four interconnected blocks, each five storeys tall, with provisions for adding two more floors in the future.

Aimed at improving administrative efficiency, the complex will house offices of the Superintendent of Police (SP), Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC), PWD, Electricity Board and other circle departments.

The building will have a basement parking for over 100 vehicles, landscaped gardens, a peripheral road and four separate entry gates. Dedicated access points have been planned for the SP and ADC offices to ensure secure and smooth operations.

Kangra Deputy Commissioner Hemraj Bairwa says that the Chief Minister has directed the PWD to ensure timely completion of the project, highlighting its significance in the broader vision of administrative reform and infrastructure development.