Himachal Governor for satellite town to ease pressure on Shimla

Tribune News Service

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Shimla, August 19

Himachal Governor Bandaru Dattatreya said that priority should be given to the projects of information technology, tourism, education, health and road widening in Shimla city under the Smart City project and the work should be completed within the stipulated time for the benefit of citizens.

The Governor, who convened a meeting with the officials of the Smart City project in Himachal at Raj Bhawan today to know about the ongoing development works and other projects, said that projects implementation under the Smart City project should be classified into two categories — big and small — to be completed soon.

He expressed satisfaction that during the pandemic period, works of more than Rs 250 crore have been completed under the project within the last few months. He also emphasized on developing satellite town on the periphery of the city in view of the increasing pressure on Shimla city to ensure infrastructure development in a planned manner.

Dattatreya also asked for a plan for the construction of tunnels in Shimla to decongest roads and asked the authorities to review the progress of all works regularly. He also suggested developing food mart in the city.

Commissioner Municipal Corporation Shimla Pankaj Rai apprised the Governor of the projects and facilities to be developed in the city. While giving the detailed status of Smart City, Shimla, through the power point presentation, Rai apprised the Governor that total 23 stakeholder departments were involved in respect of 28 projects worth Rs 529.31 crore envisaged under Shimla Smart City Mission.

He said that new tunnel parallel to Dhalli tunnel would be constructed and the project would be implemented by the HPRIDC. Similarly, the Tourism Department was implementing “Development of ice-skating rink” project for which an amount of Rs seven crores were proposed under Smart City Mission, he added.

He also disclosed that bike-sharing scheme on three stretches, including Chaura Maidan to CTO, Sanjauli Chowk to Lakkar Bazar and Chotta Shimla near Secretariat to Ridge, would be started and project is expected to be awarded by September 30 and completed by January 2021.

Mayor Municipal Corporation Shimla Satya Kaundal, Deputy Mayor Shailender Chauhan, Joint Commissioner MC Shimla Ajit Bhardwaj and other officers were also present.

Tunnels for capital

Dattatreya also asked for a plan for the construction of tunnels in Shimla to decongest roads and asked the authorities to review the progress of all works regularly. He also suggested developing food mart within the city.