Development projects worth Rs 43 cr launched in Palampur

In a major push to urban infrastructure and tourism, development projects worth over Rs 43 crore were launched in Palampur on Saturday, including two parking facilities, renovation of the popular Neugal Café, and road beautification works.

The foundation stones for the projects were laid by RS Bali, Chairman of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation and MLA from Nagrota Bagwan, in the presence of Palampur MLA Ashish Butail.

The projects are being funded by the Asian Development Bank under the state government’s tourism promotion and town beautification scheme for Palampur and Nagrota Bagwan.

Addressing the gathering, Bali said a multi-level parking facility would be constructed near the Palampur bus stand at a cost of Rs 25 crore. The complex will have capacity to accommodate 210 cars, 110 two-wheelers, 15 buses and two mini-buses. Another parking facility, costing Rs 8.5 crore, will be developed near the old vegetable market to accommodate 99 cars and 27 two-wheelers.

The renovation and beautification of Neugal Café will be undertaken at a cost of Rs 2 crore. The project also includes the development of a coffee café and road beautification works across Palampur town.

Bali congratulated residents and said the projects were made possible through the joint efforts of the Tourism Corporation and Ashish Butail. He expressed confidence that all works would be completed within the stipulated timeframe.

He further added that development projects worth Rs 180 crore were underway in Nagrota Bagwan with the ADB’s assistance, including a musical fountain and a Rs 27 crore parking facility.

Interacting with mediapersons, Bali said efforts would be made to revive the proposed ropeway project to Adi Himani Chamunda Temple.

Butail thanked Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu and Bali for sanctioning the projects. He said the new parking facilities would benefit both residents and tourists, adding that the bus stand parking complex could be expanded in future to accommodate more than 300 vehicles.