Shimla MC resolves to implement AMRUT

Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 9

The Shimla Municipal Corporation today passed a resolution to implement the Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) with outlay of Rs 384.4 crore.

Of the total amount, Rs 52 crore will be spent on improving water supply, sewerage, drainage, parks and pedestrian paths by March next year.

The House, convened to get approval for the AMRUT mission, witnessed a heated exchange between Mayor Sanjay Chauhan, BJP legislator Suresh Bhardwaj and councillors over the lapse of funds in the recent past.

The Mayor took a dig at the then BJP government (2007-12) saying it had failed to prepare a detailed project report on time, resulting in shelving of the Central water project.

The Mayor said the special House was convened to fast-track the Service Level Implementation Plan (SLIP) under AMRUT so that the corporation could utilise Rs 52 crore on improving water supply, sewerage, parks and paths in the city.

“Proposals submitted by the councillors will be considered and they will get a list of ward-wise works tomorrow,” the Mayor said.

Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Rai said the Rs 52 crore projects would be sent to the Ministry of Urban Development and the state government as the detailed project report on rehabilitation of water supply had already been sent to the Word Bank for approval.

The Mayor said other components of the projects were laying of new pipelines, construction of seven water filter tanks, maintenance of storm water nullahs and installation of water ATMs.

He said the automated meter reading system would be installed for 23,000 domestic and 7,000 commercial users.The Deputy Mayor said Rs 43.61 crore would be spent on water supply.

Congress councillor Surender Chauhan said lists of proposals should be made available to all.

To improve and expand the sewerage system in the city, the corporation has sought Rs 33.88 crore from World Bank.

On LED streetlighting, Bhardwaj said additional lights, apart from 1,000 proposed ones, should be made available so that all 25 wards were covered.

Sanjay Chauhan said pedestrian paths in 25 wards, foot bridges and bypasses over Cart Road, Lakkar Bazar, Sanjaul Chowk, Tuttiknadi and Chalaunthi were proposed under the urban transport and mobility plan. “Parking lots for 2,775 vehicles in 54 locations, community parking at 46 sites in 25 wards and escalators at seven sites have been proposed,” he added.

The corporation had proposed to develop new parks in 25 wards, Pankaj Rai said.