Shimla M.C. seek Center intervention to sustain development of heritage town

Seeking immediate intervention of Center, M.C. Shimla Deputy Mayor Mr. Tekinder Singh Panwar met with Union Urban Development Minister Mr. Kamal Natha urging the union government to release the withhold funds sanctioned by it for various projects.

Mr. Panwar said that an amount of Rs. 14.47 crores and Rs. 9.7 crores stands released against the sanctioned amount of Rs. 72.36 crores and Rs. 54.74 crores under Water Supply and Sewerage Project scheduled to start by April 2013. The projects sanctioned under JNNURM grants up to 2016 could not be completed during previous Congress lead, M.C. Shimla now urged by the Deputy Mayor that Union Minister examined the matter as a special case and allowed the M.C. Shimla to continue the project to execute itself and not through the PPP mode. He said that Rs. 5.85 Crore sanctioned to state for solid waste management project under the PPP mode being executed by the Shimla Municipal Corporation was declared non essential funds by Independent Review and Monitoring Agency (IRMA) M/s NCPE Infrastructure India Pvt. Ltd., Hyderabad, recommending the Center to withdraw fund that is not withdrawn.

Deputy Mayor said that e-governance project was sanctioned under the JNNURM, the grant should be allowed to utilize for further strengthening of e-governance for Shimla M.C. as NIC had offered to provide software solutions for 22 modules free of cost. Under Ashiana-I (252 units) and Ashiana-II (384 units) a Housing Scheme for urban poor of Shimla town (under BSUP) was delayed due to the tough hilly terrain and delay in execution of projects, the project cost has increased against the sanctioned cost.

Deputy Mayor said that Comprehensive Mobility Plan (CMP) is in the final stage of approval by the state to be shortly submitted to center for an amount of Rs. 5000 crores approximately. He requested the Center to formulate special parameters for sanction of projects of roads and especially tunnels which are necessary to remove traffic congestion. The tunnels are otherwise not approved as projects by the Minister of Urban Development.

Beautification of Shimla City amounting to Rs. 70.44 crores has been prepared and urged the Center to fund it to restore the lost heritage, character and major services required to be extended to maintain Shimla as a Tourist destination.