Plan for Shimla’s inclusion in next round okayed

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 15

Apart from approving a citizen-centric proposal for inclusion of Shimla in the next round of smart city mission in March 2017, Shimla Municipal Corporation’s House today unanimously approved the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Irrigation and Public Health and Urban Development department for setting up of the Greater Shimla Water Supply and Sewerage Circle (GSWSSC).

Shimla Mayor Sanjay Chauhan and Deputy Mayor Tikender Panwar termed the formation of the GSWSSC as a historic step in SMC for welfare of city residents. “It is historic because the GSWSSC aims at integrating water supply and sewerage system right from the source of lifting of water to the last drop of sewerage discharged in the designated stream”, they added. Chauhan said the new body would be made accountable for water supply and sewage treatment. Earlier there was complete chaos and blame game went on between the state-run IPH and the SMC, he added.

From lifting water from pumping stations to the water store tanks and its distribution in households, new GSWSSC will be held accountable, Panwar said. In the same way, sewage collection in treatment plants and its treatment and discharge into the designated source will be the responsibility of this circle, he added.

The SMC would also be responsible for ensuring proper quality of drinking water. “The corporation has already spent over Rs 100 crore for the repair and purchase of pipelines, water treatment plants, pumps, bulk meters, etc before the signing of the MoU, Mayor said.

In three major water schemes - Giri, Guma and Ashwani Khad — the entire water pipeline is being replaced. In Giri 2,000 m long pipeline has been replaced, he added.

The SMC House debated plan and road map for smart city contest slated to take place in March 2017. Three presentations were made by different agencies which focused, among other things, on making city citizens as stakeholders in this plan.

Municipal commissioner Pankaj Rai said they would submit the proposal for inclusion of Shimla city under national smart city mission to the Ministry of Urban Development in March.

Shimla had lost the race to Dharamsala which was finally included under the smart city mission last year. Shimla Mayor and deputy Mayor had accused the state urban development department of fudging the data to exclude Shimla. Dharamsala is represented by Urban Development Minster Sudhir Sharma. Now Shimla will submit bid afresh in the next round of smart city contest in March 2017, said the officials.