Dharamsala Smart City project progresses at slow pace

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, November 29

The Dharamsala Smart City project, which was allotted to the state in 2015, has been progressing at a snail’s pace.

In the last five years, works worth Rs 37 crore have been implemented under the scheme, but most of these have no direct benefit to the city residents. The state government has also failed to appoint dedicated staff for the project.

As per information collected by The Tribune, some works that are nearing completion under the scheme included solar rooftop power plant worth Rs 1.59 crore, smart classrooms in government schools, inclusive smart streets project worth Rs 23 crore, Dharamsala Smart City website, e-Nagarpalika scheme worth Rs 1.17 crore, the GIS web portal, root zone sewerage treatment plant worth Rs 3.51 crore and underground dustbins project worth Rs 6.07 crore.

However, the major projects that would benefit people are in nascent stage of development. These included the construction of a parking lot near the Dalai Lama temple, upgrade of the mountaineering institute, improvement of walkways and stairs, state-of-the-art water treatment for potable tapped water, smart city office complex and eco-tourism project.

The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Development had released Rs 183 crore for the project while the state government had given Rs 25 crore. The total projects to be taken under the scheme are worth Rs 2800 crore.

However, the authorities have not been able to spend Rs 208 crore received in the initial phase, due to which additional funds were never demanded from the Union and state governments.

Commissioner, Dharamsala Municipal Corporation, Pradeep Thakur said most works under the Dharamsala Smart City scheme were under progress. The execution of some projects was delayed due to the outbreak of Covid-19.

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