Several projects for Mandi in the pipeline: MLA

Mandi, August 18

BJP MLA from Mandi Sadar and former minister Anil Sharma has said numerous Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for the development of the Assembly constituency had been submitted to the state government, NABARD and the Centre. Addressing the media yesterday, he spoke about his efforts to secure additional facilities for the Regional Hospital in Mandi by meeting Union Health Minister Jagat Prakash Nadda.

Sharma criticised the Congress for failing to fulfil the pre-election promises, stating that these guarantees remained unmet. He also praised former Chief Minister and Leader of Opposition Jai Ram Thakur for his continuous efforts to help people affected during recent incidents of flooding in the state. Addressing the local issues, Sharma said Rs 83 crore allocated for the Mandi Water Scheme had been lying in the Municipal Corporations account for a long period. Recently, Rs 2.5 lakh were transferred to the Jal Shakti Department.

He also pointed out that Rs 60 crore were being spent on the Mandi Sewerage Project and Rs 38 crore of the amount was expected to be utilised by March 31. Sharma stated that a DPR for Rs 126 crore to for sewerage in Mandi town has been sent to the Centre.

He noted that the Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has confirmed that a DPR for Rs 22.5 crore for the Badi-Victoria Bridge bypass project in Mandi, has been sent to NABARD for approval of funds by the state government.

Regarding new projects, Sharma announced plans for a sports complex at Raghunath Ka Padhar and a three-storey parking facility at the Mandi hospital, which are expected to cost Rs 18 crore and Rs 9 crore, respectively. A DPR for the sports complex has been sent through the Deputy Commissioner. Sharma also discussed initiatives to engage youths in sports to combat addiction, including the construction of two badminton halls on Paddal ground. — TNS