Himachal circuit houses now open to public for online booking

The Himachal Pradesh government has announced a major decision that will make travel and accommodation easier for people visiting the state. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu said that all circuit houses in Himachal Pradesh will now be open to the general public. Earlier, these circuit houses were mainly reserved for government officials and senior officers. Now, ordinary citizens will also be able to book rooms online and stay there during their visits.

The announcement was made during a review meeting of the General Administrative Department in Shimla. The state government believes this move will improve public access to government guest facilities and also help tourists and visitors find better accommodation options at reasonable prices.

The decision is being seen as an important step towards transparency and better public service. Many people visiting Himachal Pradesh often face difficulties finding affordable places to stay during peak tourist seasons. By opening circuit houses to the public, the government hopes to reduce this problem and make travel more convenient.

Chief Minister Sukhu also said that the booking process will be completely online so that people can easily reserve rooms from anywhere. This system is expected to save time and reduce unnecessary paperwork.

Online booking system introduced

According to officials, the government is working on a simple digital booking system for all circuit houses in the state. People will be able to visit the official portal, check room availability, and make bookings online.

The chief minister also directed officials to introduce QR code-based payment facilities. This means visitors will be able to make digital payments quickly and safely using mobile apps or online payment methods. The government wants to ensure that people do not face problems during booking or payment.

Earlier, circuit houses were mostly used by ministers, officers, and government employees during official visits. Common citizens rarely had access to these facilities. However, the new policy changes that completely.

Officials said the online booking system will help maintain proper records and make the process more transparent. It will also reduce confusion regarding room allotment and improve management of the facilities.

The government is expected to soon release detailed guidelines regarding booking charges, eligibility, cancellation rules, and stay duration.

People travelling for tourism, business, medical treatment, or family visits may benefit greatly from this facility. Circuit houses are usually located in important towns and scenic areas, making them a useful accommodation option for travellers.

The chief minister also stressed the importance of maintaining high standards of cleanliness and service in all circuit houses. He directed departments to ensure visitors receive good hospitality and comfortable facilities during their stay.

Apart from circuit houses in Himachal Pradesh, the government also reviewed facilities at Himachal Bhawan and Himachal Sadan in Delhi, as well as Himachal Bhawan in Chandigarh. Sukhu instructed officials to improve visitor services at these locations too.

He said repair and maintenance work at these buildings would now be handled by the Public Works Department to ensure better upkeep and timely repairs.

The chief minister further instructed authorities to complete the construction work of Himachal Niketan in Delhi before June 15. This project is expected to provide better accommodation and services for people from Himachal Pradesh visiting the national capital.

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Digital systems for easier public access

During the meeting, the chief minister also launched a new digital system to improve public interaction with the government. The new platform is called the “Unified Digital Calendar and Appointment Management System.”

This online system has been created to simplify appointment scheduling and official meeting coordination with the chief minister. People will now be able to request appointments digitally instead of depending only on manual procedures.

The government has also introduced a digital gate pass system at the Himachal Pradesh State Secretariat. Earlier, visitors had to go through lengthy paperwork and manual verification to enter the secretariat building. The new system aims to make the process faster and smoother.

Under the digital gate pass system, visitors can apply online and receive downloadable passes. These passes can be shown at the entry gate for verification.

Officials said the system includes advanced security features such as OTP-based verification and Aadhaar-enabled face authentication. Security staff will verify visitors by scanning barcodes printed on digital gate passes.

The government believes that this technology-driven approach will reduce delays, improve security, and make public interaction with officials easier.

For people who arrive without prior appointments, the facility to generate gate passes at the reception desk will also continue. This ensures that visitors who are unfamiliar with the online process are not inconvenienced.

The chief minister said digital systems are necessary to improve governance and public service delivery. He added that the government is trying to modernise administrative services and make them more citizen-friendly.

Many people have welcomed the decision to open circuit houses to the public. Travel experts believe this move could encourage tourism and provide more accommodation choices to visitors travelling across Himachal Pradesh.

The state is one of India’s most popular tourist destinations, attracting visitors throughout the year for its mountains, temples, snowfall, trekking routes, and natural beauty. During busy tourist seasons, hotel prices often increase sharply. Affordable government accommodation could therefore become a helpful option for many families and travellers.

The move is also expected to improve the use of government properties that often remain underutilised when not occupied by officials.

With online booking, digital payments, and improved visitor services, the Himachal Pradesh government is trying to make public facilities more accessible and efficient. The new system is likely to benefit both residents and tourists in the coming months.