Shimla — Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu laid the foundation stone on Saturday for a new Centre of Excellence for Divyangjans to be established at Tikri in Kandaghat, Solan. The state government said the facility, to be built on 45 bighas of land at an estimated cost of Rs. 200 crore, will provide inclusive higher education, residential care and skills training for persons with disabilities.
Centre of Excellence for Divyangjans
Mr Sukhu directed that the first phase of construction should be completed by October. When finished, the Centre will offer residential accommodation for 300 children with disabilities, sports facilities and a curriculum that combines higher education with special education and vocational skills courses. The project will also house research and development activities tailored to the nature and severity of different disabilities.
To support sustainability and reduce operating costs, officials said a 500 kW solar power plant will be installed on site. The plan also includes a working womens hostel at an outlay of Rs. 15.33 crore to support staff and visiting caregivers.
“The government is fully committed to inclusive development and the welfare of every section of society,” the Chief Minister said, describing the Centre as the first of its kind in Himachal Pradesh and a potential model for other states. He added that the institution will help Divyangjans integrate into mainstream society and become self-reliant.
Himachal Pradesh already runs the states first residential special school for children with intellectual disabilities at Heeranagar in Shimla, where children aged six to 18 receive free education, vocational training and hostel facilities. The new Centre is expected to expand access to specialised services and tertiary-level courses.
Support measures and funding
The state provides a range of assistive and welfare measures for persons with disabilities. Students with more than 40 per cent disability receive monthly scholarships between Rs. 625 and Rs. 3,750. Social security pensions range from Rs. 1,150 to Rs. 1,700. Marriage grants are available at Rs. 25,000 for those with 40 to 74 per cent disability and Rs. 50,000 for those with more than 75 per cent disability.
At the event, Mr Sukhu announced a further Rs. 50 crore allocation for speciality facilities and a trauma centre at Solan Hospital. He also approved Rs. 5 crore for Civil Hospital Kandaghat and Rs. 1 crore for development of a sports ground in Kandaghat. The Chief Minister additionally released the 2026 calendar of Jogindra Bank during the ceremony.
Health Minister Dr (Col) Dhani Ram Shandil welcomed the Chief Minister to the Solan Assembly constituency and thanked the government for prioritising development projects in the region. Officials emphasised that accessibility measures such as ramps at bus stands and wheelchairs at hospitals have been implemented across the state to improve mobility for persons with disabilities.
Local administrators said the Centre will serve multiple roles: a residential education facility for children and young adults with disabilities, a training hub for special educators and therapists, and a research centre to adapt teaching methods and assistive technologies to local needs. The states target is to create a self-sustaining institution that combines education, health and rehabilitation under one roof.
Construction and early operational planning will now move to the next stage, with officials expected to outline timelines for staffing, admission criteria and academic partnerships in the coming months.
Key Takeaways:
- Himachal Pradesh will establish a Centre of Excellence for Divyangjans at Kandaghat with an estimated cost of Rs. 200 crore.
- The Centre of Excellence for Divyangjans will cater to 300 resident students, offer higher and special education, skills training and R&D, and include a 500 kW solar plant.
- The state has allocated additional funds for local health and sports facilities and provides ongoing scholarships, pensions and marriage grants for persons with disabilities.
