Himachal's PWD Rest Houses Go Digital: A New Era of Booking

The Himachal Pradesh government has taken significant strides in digitizing its services for better public access. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced on Thursday that all bookings for the state's Public Works Department (PWD) rest houses are now available online, a move aimed at aiding the common man.

The shift to online booking was initiated during Sukhu's first meeting as chief minister. Prior to this, the process was predominantly offline, often leaving citizens with limited access. However, since June 2025, the digital system has enabled hassle-free bookings, complete with instant confirmations via text or email and assigned room numbers, bolstering transparency and accountability.

PWD Secretary Abhishek Jain noted that despite the state grappling with recent disasters, the digitization has resulted in Rs 2 crore revenue within just four months. Currently, online bookings for over 276 rest houses and 1000 rooms operate on a 'first come, first serve' basis, providing convenience at competitive rates to both locals and visitors.