Projects incomplete, councillors anxious ahead of Solan Municipal Corporation poll

Councillors of the Municipal Corporation of Solan are having anxious moments ahead of the elections slated for early next year as major development works like parking lots are yet to take off.

Barely a few months are left for the completion of their five-year term and vital works pertaining to rain damage like raising retaining walls and repairing internal roads were yet to even begin, rued a resident of ward number six.

Several parking projects are also lying in limbo even as the city dwellers faced challans every day for parking their vehicles on road. Despite laying foundation stones earlier this year, the work could not even begin. They were facing backlash from the residents, who had been promised these facilities.

Hurdles to be removed soon

Efforts are afoot to speed up all pending works like parking lots. Hurdles like shortage of additional funds will be sorted out soon. Usha Sharma, Solan Mayor

In a bid to tackle roadside parking and ease traffic congestion on the Solan-Shimla highway, a new parking facility was supposed to come up at the Saproon Chowk in Solan. The project, expected to be completed in two months after award of the work, would provide space for at least 40 vehicles.

Foundation stone of development works worth around Rs 26.21 crore, including a road from Jaunaji Marg to Dhalli, new water supply storage tank and embankment of drain, were laid in January. A Shahid Smarak Park at the Saproon bypass is to be constructed at a cost of Rs 30 lakh. Besides, various facilities in the park on the Saproon bypass of Ward No. 14 to be constructed at a cost of Rs 26.24 lakh, a footpath at this bypass to come up at a cost of Rs 20 lakh and parking at the bypass to be constructed at a cost of Rs 08.08 lakh are all tasks which were yet to be accomplished.

With a 12 per cent increase of population, the city grapples with an increasing influx of vehicles requiring adequate parking space. A key parking project requiring exchange of land with defence authorities at the old bus stand also has not been executed.

Solan Mayor Usha Sharma said efforts were afoot to speed up all pending works like parking lots and hurdles like shortage of additional funds would be sorted out soon.