Centre approves NCB Zonal Office in Shimla to strengthen anti-drug operations in Himachal
New Delhi, August 4
The Central Government has approved the establishment of a Narcotics Control Bureau Zonal Office in Shimla to strengthen efforts to combat drug trafficking and enhance enforcement capabilities in Himachal Pradesh, Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai informed the Lok Sabha on Tuesday.
In a written reply to a question by BJP MP Dr Rajeev Bharadwaj, Rai said the decision follows requests from the Himachal Pradesh government for a stronger NCB presence in the state.
"A Field Office of the Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) has been operational in Mandi, Himachal Pradesh, since January 21, 2024. A request from the Hon'ble Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh was received for augmenting the presence of the NCB in the state due to the growing menace of drug-related issues," the Minister stated.
The Minister further noted that the Director General of Police (DGP), Himachal Pradesh, had also specifically requested the opening of a Zonal Office in Shimla.
"The Government of India approved the setting up of a Zonal Office of the NCB at Shimla on June 17, 2026. The new Zonal Unit is expected to significantly enhance the NCB's operational capabilities, improve intelligence collection, and facilitate better inter-agency coordination," Rai said in his reply.
According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, the expansion of the NCB's footprint in the hill state is aimed at facilitating a faster response to international drug networks and strengthening enforcement efforts against drug peddlers effectively across the region.
The clarification came in a written reply to Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2698 raised by MP Dr. Rajeev Bharadwaj.
Dr Bharadwaj had asked whether the government proposed to set up a special unit of the NCB in Himachal Pradesh to take prompt action against international drug networks and check drug peddlers effectively. He also inquired whether the State Government had forwarded any official request to the Union Government in this regard and sought details of the same.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Good step, but I hope they also focus on rehabilitation and awareness programs. Just catching peddlers isn't enough - we need to save the youth from falling into this trap in the first place. Prevention is better than cure, as they say.
Shimla is becoming a hub for drug activities with all the tourism. About time the Centre stepped up. The Mandi office was a start, but we need stronger presence in the capital city too. Good decision by the government.
I just hope this isn't just a paper announcement. We've seen many such offices being set up but ground-level action remains weak. Need proper staffing, modern equipment, and real coordination with local authorities. Otherwise it's just another bureaucratic exercise.
As someone from Himachal, this is very reassuring. The drug problem has been spreading to even small villages now. Parents are worried about their kids. This zonal office will definitely help in curbing the supply chain. 🙏
The international drug networks operating in the hills need serious attention. Happy to see the Centre responding to the state's request. But we also need better border surveillance and intelligence sharing between states. Drug trafficking doesn't respect state boundaries.
Good move by PM Modi ji
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