Chandigarh will be best model city, says UT Adviser at R-Day function

Ramkrishan Upadhyay
Tribune News Service   
Chandigarh, January 26  

Chandigarh will become the best model city in India, a top UT official said at a Republic Day function on Saturday.

Addressing an R-Day function at Sector 17’s Parade Ground, Manoj Parida, adviser to UT Administrator, spoke about Chandigarh Administration’s various initiatives—both proposed as well as ongoing.

Work on projects estimated to be worth Rs 900 crore will begin soon, he said. This includes water projects—such as improvement of water supply to be make it available around the clock, installing smart meters, improving sewerage treatment plants—as well as other proposed works, such as a public bike-sharing system currently in the works.

“Proposed merger of 13 villages with the Chandigarh Municipal Corporation will improve facilities in those villages,” he said. 

Housing

The UT administration is considering a General Housing Scheme in Sector 53, Parida said. This is in addition to Chandigarh Housing Board’s (CHB) slum rehabilitation scheme under which 4,960 flats are currently under construction in Maloya. Parida said the flats would be handed over to beneficiaries soon, although he did not say when. The project, construction of which began in 2014, was originally meant to be completed by 2016, and is currently two years behind schedule.

The official said the administration will use VVPATs for the first time in the upcoming general elections.

The administration has announced a holiday for all government and the private schools on Monday.

Meanwhile, another function held at Municipal Corporation office in Sector 17 saw Mayor Rajesh Kumar stress on keeping the city clean. Kumar said Swachh Bharat Mission will remain his priority this year.