Finally, Smart City crown for Queen of Hills

Tribune News Service

Shimla, June 23

It is after a long wait and political slugfest that Shimla has finally made it to the list of 28 cities which have been included in the Smart City Mission of the Union Urban Development Ministry.

The “Queen of Hills” figured at number 15 in the third and last list of 30 cities released by the ministry today. A proposal for Rs 2,906 crore had been submitted to the Centre for including Shimla in the mission. This will put an end to the political bickering in the state over giving preference to Dharamsala, which was included in the mission much earlier.

Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh congratulated the citizens of Shimla on the inclusion of the capital town on the list and said it was a moment to rejoice as the smart city tag would help in developing better facilities. Apart from incorporating the suggestions of 57 per cent of the citizens, the proposal was discussed in ward meetings which were approved by the Municipal Corporation.

Himachal had submitted its proposal to the ministry on March 31, 2017. The liberal funding and professionally-designed urban development projects would help provide better infrastructure like water supply, sewerage, storm water drainage, urban transport, e-governance, capacity building and institutional strengthening in the town.

The Chief Minister said the proposal sent to the Centre incorporated the better management of public transport system, parking provisions besides pedestrians’ facilities.

“The proposal also includes management of storm water and natural springs, rain water harvesting tanks in forest areas, redevelopment of zonal hospital, measures to mitigate fire and other hazards, facilities which were so far missing,” he said.

He said the priority would be given to developing eco-tourism, adventure sports activities and alternative modes of transportation. He said the smart city would also enable the legal in-situ rehabilitation of around 800 families living in slum areas.

Urban Development Sudhir Sharma said out of the total proposal of Rs 2,906 crore, Rs 1,252 crore would be spent on redevelopment of the core area of the town, including Lower Bazar, Sabzi Mandi, Ganj and Krishnanagar. A sum of Rs 1,280 crore was to be spent on retro-fitting of Circular Road and three transit corridors of the city and Rs 197 crore would be utilised for traffic management and citizen security.

Meanwhile, the Confederation of Indian Industry Himachal Pradesh (CII HP) also welcomed the inclusion of Shimla into the coveted list. CII Himachal Pradesh Chairman Rajesh Saboo said, “We appreciate the efforts by the state government and the local MC for making it to the list of smart cities. With the new focus under the Smart City Mission, the city will receive resources to overcome challenges such as traffic congestion and waste management.”

He added that the CII had been a partner with the state government in the smart city project and would support the government to achieve its development goals for the city.

Rs 2,906 cr proposals for Shimla 

• The Queen of Hills figured at number 15 in the third and last list of 30 cities.
• A proposal for Rs 2,906 cr had been submitted to the Centre for including Shimla in the mission.
• The liberal funding and professionally-designed urban development projects will help provide better infrastructure like water supply, sewerage, storm water drainage, urban transport, e-governance, capacity building and institutional strengthening in the town.
• The proposal incorporated the better management of public transport , parking provisions besides pedestrians’ facilities.