Chandigarh, October 5, 2026: The Punjab Cabinet has approved the Ranjitgarh Development Authority Bill, 2026, opening the way for planned development of the Ranjit Sagar Dam and Shahpur Kandi Dam areas in Pathankot as major tourism destinations.
The proposed Ranjitgarh Development Authority will focus on sustainable and eco-tourism-oriented development while coordinating infrastructure, land management and tourism projects across the region. The initiative is aimed at giving the scenic dam belt a more organised tourism structure instead of allowing development to take place through separate departments without a common plan.
The authority will function under the Department of Tourism and Cultural Affairs and will be given administrative, financial and regulatory powers. These powers will cover integrated development, management of land, implementation of approved projects and overall governance of tourism destinations falling within its jurisdiction.
Chief Minister Bhagwant Singh Mann will serve as Chairman of the proposed authority, while the Tourism and Cultural Affairs Minister will be its Vice-Chairman. An Executive Committee headed by the Punjab Chief Secretary will supervise day-to-day functioning and coordinate work involving different government departments.
The decision is expected to be particularly important for Pathankot, which already serves as a major gateway for travellers heading towards Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh. The government now wants to develop attractions within the district so that tourists have more reasons to stay and explore Punjab instead of simply passing through.
Ranjit Sagar Dam and the Shahpur Kandi region have considerable potential for nature tourism, leisure activities and improved visitor facilities. Better roads, organised public spaces and tourism infrastructure could also create opportunities for hotels, restaurants, transport operators and other local businesses.
The government has placed particular emphasis on sustainable development because the region includes water bodies and environmentally sensitive landscapes. Future projects will therefore need to balance tourism growth with protection of the natural surroundings.
The authority is also expected to bring different departments onto one platform, making it easier to coordinate infrastructure and tourism projects. This could reduce delays where road development, land use, utilities and tourism facilities require approvals from several government bodies.
Cabinet approval of the Bill is an important first step, but the proposed authority will become fully operational only after the required legislative and notification process is completed. Detailed projects, investment plans and development regulations are expected to follow.
If implemented as planned, the Ranjit Sagar-Shahpur Kandi belt could emerge as one of Punjab’s important nature and eco-tourism destinations while generating additional economic activity for Pathankot and nearby areas.
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