By:Mohan Lal Verma
Dharamshala, the abode of Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, has has been short-listed for the Smart City Mission. Mr. Sudhir Sharma, the Minister of Himachal Pradesh Urban Development, confirmed the news.
Shimla lagged behind due to poor implementation of JNNURM projects which was due to lapse of its funds. The selection of smart cities was ascertained by the capacity and willingness of the cities to become smart, since Shimla could not score qualifying marks in the selection process and so it could not be shortlisted Mr. Sharma told Himvani.
Union Urban Development Minister M. Venkaiah Naidu on Thursday announced in Delhi the list of 98 cities that are nominated for the Smart City Mission, saying a total population of 13 crores across these cities will be covered under the initiative.
“The scoring criteria included existing service levels, institutional systems and capacities of urban local bodies, past track records and efficiency of implementation of Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission Schemes and Programs. Dharamsala scored 87.5% while Shimla came second with 85% and we would use all the funds sanctioned under Smart City Mission for Dharamshala appropriately and within timeframe” said Mr. Sudhir Sharma
“Government would ensure that Shimla does not starve with funds as the state capital is to be coverd under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) which will replace the congress civic body development scheme of JNNURM . He said that Shimla city would get Rupees 70 crores under the AMRUT mission as it has qualified for the program launched by the centre government recently” as quoted by Mr. Sudhir Sharma.