Demographic Advantage

The population of Himachal Pradesh is 68,64,602, with an urbanization rate of 11%. The state's sex ratio is 972/1000. The worker population ratio for 2022–23 was 73.8%. Himachal Pradesh has a literacy rate of 93.3%, which is higher than the national average of 77.7%.
 

Healthcare Facilities

Himachal Pradesh, with a well-established network of healthcare facilities, including 115 civil hospitals, 104 community health centres, 580 primary health centres, 16 ESI civil dispensaries, and 2,114 health subcenters, has adopted a systematic approach to delivering curative, preventive, and rehabilitative services. The state also has 6 public medical colleges, 2 public ayurvedic colleges, 5 dental colleges, 1 private homoeopathic college, and 12 private bioscience colleges. The state has also established an All India Institute of Medical Sciences.

The life expectancy in Himachal Pradesh is 70.3 years; the infant mortality rate is 17 per 1000 live births; and the sex ratio is 875 females per 1000 males, which is below the national average of 929/1000.

Himachal Pradesh is the country's pharmaceutical manufacturing hub. Almost all the leading pharma giants have set up their units here or are in the process of setting up factories. An ultra-modern laboratory, assisted by the National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, is also proposed to be set up in Baddi.

Educational Facilities

Himachal Pradesh government has focused on education, with a significant number of schools and colleges in the public sector. Consequently, the literacy rate in the state is 93.3%, higher than the national average, and the gross enrolment ratio for elementary schools is 106%. There are 10,370 primary schools, 1,850 middle schools, 960 High Schools, and 1,984 Senior Secondary Schools, 148 public degree colleges. 

The state also has 372 institutions providing technical education in the state, including an IIT, NIT, NIFT, IIM, IIIT, Central Institute of Plastic Engineering and Technology, Regional Vocational Training Institute for Women, MSME Technology Center etc.

Technology & Advancement

Himachal Pradesh State Wide Area Network provides secured network connectivity, using the multiprotocol label switching technology, to all state government departments up to block level and provides efficient electronic delivery of Government to Government, Government to Citizen and Government to Business services.

Himachal Pradesh State Data Centre has consolidated services, applications and infrastructure to provide efficient service delivery. 

Infrastructure Details

Himachal Pradesh has 60 industrial areas and 17 industrial estates and offers market access to over 300 Mn customers (25% of the population of India). The state supported the development of Cremica Food Park through private sector participation. With abundant raw materials and better connectivity, the state government envisages the development of more food parks. New industrial parks have been proposed at various locations, such as Integrated Industrial Township and Software Technology Park at Kangra, Integrated Industrial Township under MIIUS, Mega Food Park under Mega Food Park Scheme, Mega Textile Park at Una, Biotechnology Park at Aduwal and Bulk Drug Park at Una, Medical Devices Park in Solan, and Software Technology Park at Mehli.

In the absence of any other viable modes of transportation, roads play a vital role in Himachal Pradesh. Starting almost from scratch, the state government has constructed 41,975 kilometres of motorable roads until December 2023. The state also has 19 national highways, with a length of 2,576 kilometres. The National Highway Authority of India is also developing a 785-kilometer-long, four-lane stretch. The passenger transport services, within and outside the state, are provided by Himachal Road Transport Corporation with a fleet strength of 3,059 buses, 110 electric buses, 38 taxis, 50 electric taxis, and 12 tempo travellers.

The state also has airports in Shimla, Kullu, and Kangra. A greenfield airport in Nagchala, Mandi, is also proposed. Additionally, five heliports are being developed to boost tourism in the state.

Sustainability Initiatives

Himachal Pradesh has a total renewable energy capacity of 11,431.82 MW, comprising 1000.71 MW of small hydropower, 10.20 MW of biopower, 139.89 MW of solar power, and 10,281.02 MW of large hydropower.

The state has the unique distinction of being a net exporter of power with 100% renewable energy. It accounts for nearly a quarter of India's harnessable 23,500 MW hydropower potential, of which 10,580 MW has already been harnessed. A robust transmission and distribution network has ensured 100% electrification in the state. Every year, the state consumes about 13,000 Mn Units (MUs) of power, of which 2000 are generated from thermal sources and the rest from renewable sources. Moreover, Himachal Pradesh targets generating ~2000 MW of solar power, which translates to about 25% of total consumption.

The state aims to develop itself as a model state for EVs and has accorded top priority to the introduction of EVs in the state. To achieve this goal, the state government, in collaboration with stakeholders such as Indian Oil Corporation Limited and Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited, is working to establish 107 electric vehicle charging stations throughout the state.