CHANDIGARH: Solan in Himachal Pradesh has figured in the top ten districts of the country as the fifth richest district in terms of per-capita GDP, with its per-capita income touching Rs 8.10 lakh, according to the Economic Survey 2024-25.
It is nearly three times Himachal Pradesh’s average of Rs 2.83 lakh.
Meanwhile, Gurugram in Haryana is in the second position.
The main drivers of growth of these top ten districts in the country are based on the Economic Survey 2024-2025, as these wealthiest districts demonstrate how services, tourism, technology and industry have produced concentrated areas of rapid growth.
Solan finds itself in elite company, with only Rangareddy in Telangana at the number one position in the country with a GDP per capita of Rs 11.46 lakh, followed by Gurugram in Haryana (Rs 9.05 lakh), then Bengaluru Urban in Karnataka (Rs 8.93 lakh) and Gautam Buddha Nagar in Uttar Pradesh (Rs 8.48 lakh).
The achievement reflects Solan’s transformation into one of the country’s most important industrial and manufacturing hubs.
At the heart of this success of Solan lies the Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN) industrial cluster, which has become the economic engine of both Solan and Himachal Pradesh.
More than 90 per cent of the state’s industrial activity is concentrated in this region, making it a key contributor to employment, exports, and government revenue.
The region is home to Asia’s largest pharmaceutical hub, with around 350 manufacturing units. Nearly every third medicine consumed in the country is manufactured in BBN.
This industrial cluster is home to around 2,406 industrial units, including over 2,100 micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Together, these industries generate an estimated annual turnover of Rs 1 lakh crore, while exports from the region are valued at around Rs 18,000 crore every year.
It also hosts Asia’s largest transport union, with around 10,000 vehicles, besides 3,100 commercial vehicles. Industries contribute nearly 29 per cent of the state’s GST and consume about 45 per cent of its electricity.
Industry experts attribute BBN’s rapid rise to its strategic location due to proximity to Punjab and Haryana, along with the boost provided by the Centre’s industrial incentive package announced in 2002.
These factors attracted large investments and helped transform the region into a manufacturing powerhouse, helping Solan outpace larger districts such as Kangra, Mandi and Shimla economically.
In addition to Rangareddy, Gurgaon and Bengaluru are still thriving as the hubs of India’s business and IT environment, attracting both startups and large corporations.
They are the obvious leaders in this expansion race because of their highly qualified personnel and global connectedness.
GDP per capita represents the annual value of goods and services produced in a district divided by its population, indicating the average economic output per person.