HC Dismisses Petitions Challenging HPTDC Office Shift to Dharamshala
Shimla, Sept. 19: The Himachal Pradesh High Court has dismissed two petitions challenging the decision of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) to shift its corporate office from Shimla to Dharamshala.
A Division Bench comprising Chief Justice G.S. Sandhawalia and Justice Bipin Chander Negi dismissed the petitions on September 16, 2026, in the matter of Dhabe Ram vs HPTDC. The petitions had challenged government orders issued in July 2025 proposing the relocation of the HPTDC corporate office from Ritz Annexe, Shimla, to Hotel Kashmir House, Dharamshala.
The HPTDC informed the court that an earlier proposal to construct a new corporate office near Hotel Holiday Home, Shimla, could not be implemented after the Shimla Municipal Corporation raised objections to the building plans. The Town and Country Planning Department subsequently approved only a three-storeyed parking structure at the site.
The court noted that Dharamshala and Kangra had been declared the state’s “Tourism Capital” in April 2025. Subsequently, the HPTDC Board decided to seek government approval for shifting its head office to its own premises in Dharamshala, while retaining its zonal office in Shimla.
The Bench observed that the location of government offices is primarily a matter of policy and that courts cannot sit in appeal over such decisions by comparing the relative merits of different locations.
The petitions were accordingly dismissed. The court also directed that the ₹50,000 deposited by each petitioner be distributed equally between the Himachal Pradesh High Court Bar Association and the Himachal Pradesh High Court Staff Welfare Organization.
Samagra Sikhsha
