PWD rest houses

I don't know how many of you have noticed. Most of the PWD guest houses that are built in the mountains are just fantastic, either in choice of location or the building design or both.
And all this is the PWD that we in India curse for their ineffeciency.

I am listing below some of them :.
1) Junga PWD, near Chail/Shimla. This is a grand rest house. Feels like a palace with tall columns shooting across floors. The view behind to the little valley is exquisite. I stayed there and trek down to Kasauli.
2) Mukteshwar, PWD - This one has an extraordinary view of the NandaDevi. It also has a good cook (in year 2002). This was the first time I saw Nandadevi. There is a direction chart on the ground that names the peaks. We found all the peaks but couldn't find Nandadevi. And then someone spotted it. It was way way above the clouds above all neighbouring mountains. It was truly divine. I don't think even Auli gave me this sensation of Nandadevi.
3) Khajjiar, PWD - This looks so different from the others around. It stands in the middle of a meadow with slanting roofs, white window sills making it look like a house in europe.

Infact, i think there are few PWD resthouses which are not good. I stayed at a bad one in Chauranghikal (near Uttarkashi). In general , I have come to believe that if I need a quiet place to stay, I find a PWD resthouse in the map and just go. It will always be nice. You would need to tip the chowkidar though. I will add more to the list when I have time.

um...this is probably a dumb question...but what does PWD stand for?

They built the rest-houses for their own use; so they are great. Their service sucks; which is for you and I :=) BTW is there any way to reserve these for a vacation from outside India? TIA.

PWD - Public Works Department.
The goverment owned department that builds roads etc.

Booking is tough. You would need to get a permit from the closest PWD office. Its not easy to find one. If can risk it, just go directly and tip the chowkidar. Thats what I do. Usually, it works. And as for the service, depends on the person there. Sometimes very good.

Thanks. I meant to say that their roads suck.

i stayed at the one near chail/shimla. i enjoyed it over there....thanks to my grandpa (ex-govt official), getting a room wasn't a problem. But you are right...booking is tough!!

cheers

I stayed at one of the same at Sandakphu and a few times at Jalpaiguri and some other parts of North Bengal (Northern part of West Bengal) during my official tours. The arrangement was great.

I got a picture of this PWD rest house at Sandakphu (do not ask me how it was reserved !!). Here it is: http://www.indiamike.com/photopost/s...cat/500/page/1

The Forest Rest Houses are good too !!

In the days of British rule there used to be "Dak Bungalows", which were primarily used for sorting mail; later on they were used as guest houses.

At least in HP, there are a few PWD Rest-houses where one doesn't need a booking/permit from another location/office further away.
In Oct this year, I was stuck in Koksar, Lahaul (semi-voluntarily - didn't want to cross the pass at night), and was pleasantly surprised to find out that the PWD allowed anyone to stay, subject to availability. A resident Engineer gives permission on the spot. (Advance booking is done at Keylang).

There are 5 bedrooms with attached bath, which cost Rs. 200 each for Himachal residents and Rs. 250 for everyone else. Food is available on order, but there are quite a few dhabas just outside, so meals are not a problem.

There is also a dormitory with 10 beds, which cost Rs. 15 each.
I shud point out though that the dorm bathroom can be described as unspeakable.

Folks, I found a veritable goldmine of info on PWD RHs (and Circuit Houses) in HP. Locations, booking offices, charges, the works. The state PWD has its own website with all the details:

http://hppwd.gov.in/Rest%20Houses.htm
Click on the name of the concerned circle office nearest to the desired location. If you're not sure, then try your luck with the different links!
Note: Set means a double room, a bathroom, and often but not always a dressing room.
CHs are not that easily given out. Usually requires some 'pull' to get a booking. No harm in asking though, if nothing else is available!

Charges are here:
http://hppwd.gov.in/Rest%20House%20Rates.htm
Relevant for private individuals/groups, specially non-HP residents, are s.nos. 3 & 14 in both lists.

Cheers.

Interesting link, thanks.

Speaking of interesting rest houses, I saw that the Forest department had built rooms/cottages a bit further up from the KMVN in Binsar. Looked nice, as in blended in nicely with the surroundings. Were ready in December, but awaiting the inaugaration. Do not have the terrace view of the KMVN, but are closer to the zero point that has a fantastic view. Have no idea how to book those.

As for the PWD rest houses, I understand it is the best option in Gwaldham. Was totally unoccupied when we got there, but no way the attendent was letting us close to it...

grt links.

apka jawab nahin ( to say in english if i am right "you are unparalleled")
thanks for the great links to the pwd resthouses