The Government of Himachal Pradesh will sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), with Singapore Government on 27th February this month, to build first ‘Smart hill town’ of the country near Waknaghat, where 450 bighas of land was available. The Singapore Government have agreed to invest Rs 2500 crore for the same.
This was revealed in a meeting presided over by Chief Minister, Shri Virbhadra Singh to review progress of various schemes being implemented by Municipal Corporation (MC) Shimla within the municipal limits.
The Smart Hill town will have all the facilities of International Standards. New planned settlements will be created so that population aggregation at one place could be arrested and a more balanced distribution could be achieved.
Briefing the Chief Minister, Urban development Minister Shri Sudhir Sharma, said that the Smart Hill town is expected to provide abundant opportunities in Hospitality, Health and Wellness and Education sector. He said that it will have a special economic zone (SEZ), international education zone, integrated townships, an entertainment zone, a convention center, Parks, shopping malls etc.
Sh. Virbhadra Singh stressed to complete the ongoing works of beautification of town and the roads at the earliest. He said that Shimla being a state capital needs to be given priority so that Shimla may be included in Smart City Mission. He appreciated the Shimla Mall road restoration project and conservation of churches in heritage zone.
He desired that musical fountains be installed in the town, besides the process of Shifting vegetable market to Darni Ka Bagicha and the Anaaj Mandi (Grain Market) and Timber Market to Shnaan, Malyana should be initiated as soon as possible. The Chief Minister appreciated the renovation of Rani Jhansi Park and the fountains installed therein. He also appreciated the ongoing renovation projects of roads and parks of Shimla besides lightening the streets and tunnels with LED lights.
He said that the renovation of the town hall was being done in a planned manner and would be completed by June this year. He attributed the delay construction as because the town hall was not vacated well in time despite repeated requests. “It was on my way to Vidhan Sabha in 2015, that strict orders were given to vacate the premises to pave the way for refurbishing of the gothic style structure”, said the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister was also briefed about the ongoing work of multistory parking at Tutukandi and the ropeways within the town including the one from Tutikandi to Mall Road. He was also briefed about the works being undertaken under Jawahar Lal Nehru Urban renewal Mission (JNURM) and Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
The Chief Minister also urged for starting construction work of colony at Krishnagar and restoration of traditional water bodies (Bowdis) in Shimla town.
The Chief Minister said that the foot bridges as announced should be completed soon.
The Chief Minister directed to utilize and run the shelter house for stray dogs at Tutkikandi in proper manner. He said that a veterinarian along with other staff should be there to take care of stray dogs. As due to the case lying pending with the Supreme Court, due to petition filed by Animal Welfare Board of India against judgment of Himachal High court for making Shimla stray dog free, the MC was helpless in controlling the menace of canines. The MC captured, sterilized and vaccinated 8512 stray dogs and released them as per rule. During last year 550 stray dogs were sterilized and vaccinated by MC Shimla.
Vice-Chairman, HPTDC Shri Harish Janartha suggested for improving the condition of road from Lakkar Bazar to Sanjauli, which was in bad shape. He said that the work of Sports Complex at Sanjauli requires to be accelerated. Shri Janartha said that few works were being delayed despite the funds given to the concerned department.
Chief Secretary Shri VC Pharka directed to complete the works as announced by the Chief Minister. He said that the foot bridges at Tara Hall, Chelsea, and Sanjauli College should be completed soon. He directed the work be started on these foot bridges by 25th March after completing all codal formalities. He also directed to start work of Sanjauli Sports Complex and install LED screen at Sanjauli, as the one already installed at Sports Complex at Lift. Sh. Pharka directed all the officers concerned to attend the review meeting pertaining to the pending works on 20th Feb, particularly that of PWD and IPH. .
Commissioner MC Shri Pankaj Rai who presented 130 page presentation, said that the MC had recently constructed six Rain Shelters within its Municipal limits and that too in traditional style and nine more were proposed Apart from this a Book café was under construction at Takka Bench, Ridge in Shimla. He said that the MC had decided to install five more e-toilets and water ATMs in 25 wards of Shimla.
Advisor to CM Shri TG. Negi, Additional Chief Secretary Smt. Manisha Nanda, Secretaries Smt. Anuradha Thakur and Shri Mohan Chauhan, MD HPTDC Shri Dinesh Malhotra were also present amongst others.