Punjab Newsline, Shimla-
To benefit the common man, the State Government has taken a leap forward making all the booking of the PWD Rest Houses (RH) online and confirming and conveying the same immediately to avoid any inconvenience to the common man.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu today here said that the bookings in the PWD rest houses were not easily accessible to the common man earlier but since he took over as the Chief Minister, a decision was taken in the first meeting that all the rest houses would be made online benefitting people. Prior to June 2025, the bookings of rest houses of PWD were done offline but since June 2025, the bookings were made online for all RH's.
People will now get immediate messages on their phones or e-mail regarding confirmation of rooms, with room number mentioned. The system has also ensured accountability and transparency besides revenue generation, said Sh. Sukhu.
It was a step towards 'Vyastha Parivartan', stated the Chief Minister, adding that the entire official machinery would be made digital in future so that the people could get benefits near to their homes without visiting government offices to get their work done.
Secretary PWD Abhishek Jain said that the PWD rest houses had earned a revenue of rupees two crore in four months, from June till 10th October, even though the State was reeling under disaster.
He said that bookings were now being done on 'first come first serve basis' and the same was being confirmed immediately. Since June this year, over 276 rest houses and 1000 rooms were being made available daily through online mode to the people on 50 percent advance basis, which is Rs. 250 per himachali and Rs. 500 for non himachali.
After this initiative the bookings of rest houses have increased substantially. Naming few, Sh. Jain said that the occupancy before online mode for Hamirpur RH was 62 percent, which after online booking has increased to 85 percent. Similarly, in Tara Devi PWD Rest House, the booking has increased from 30 percent as earlier to 50 percent as of now, Dharamshala rest house online booking has increased from 50 to 75 percent and bookings in Ghumarwin RH has increased from 30 to 66 percent. The online booking has benefited the common man and has resulted in substantial increase in revenue of the government as well, he said.
Jain stated that he himself has been visiting the PWD rest houses and has ensured that the upkeep and maintenance is being done on a regular basis besides ensuring quality food to the visitors.