Kuldeep Chauhan

Tribune News Service

Shimla, October 23

The Shimla Smart City Mission is all set to take off after a long wait of four years. As many as 28 projects worth Rs 300 crore have been proposed for the state capital. These include three parking complexes, three escalators, one elevator, footbridges, smart pedestrian paths on the IGMC-Sanjauli route and Cart Road and beautification of shops and buildings.

“These projects will be sent to the board of directors of the Shimla Smart City Mission for approval. The meeting is scheduled for October 31,” said Municipal Commissioner Pankaj Rai, who is also a member on the board.

“We hope to start the work before March 31 and have been allocated Rs 100 crore for the purpose,” he added.

“Under the mission, three major smart parking complexes — first near the IGMC’s new OPD block for 1,000 vehicles, second at Vikasanagar for 500 vehicles and third at the SDA complex in Kasumpati for 200 vehicles — have been proposed,” said Nitin Garg, Superintending Engineer, Smart City project.

“We have also proposed small parking lots in all wards,” he added.

“As many as five escalators — from the Lift-Metropol-The Mall, Jakhoo parking to the temple top, Cart Road to The Mall, Auckland tunnel to the police chowki, Lakkar Bazaar, Tibetan market to The Ridge — and an elevator from Lakkar Bazaar to Bantony Castle are to come up. This will give easy access to the city centre,” Rai said.

Pedestrians from Sanjauli to the IGMC and The Mall will also be able to enjoy a walk on the proposed smart pathway. The pathway will be covered to protect the walkers from the rain.

Beautification of the façade of the The Mall by pulling down 500 shops and reconstructing those is also on the cards. “Also, on the list are footbridges near the Lift over Cart Road, on the junction of Chotta Shimla and Vikasnagar near the bus stop and other traffic bottlenecks,” said officials.

The old dilapidated buildings of the Municipal Corporation will be developed into commercial-cum-parking complexes. These buildings are located at Chotta Shimla and Kasumpati. The Rs 10 crore Dhalli tunnel will ease traffic congestion on the Sanjauli-Dhalli road.

Parks will be developed for eco-tourism. “We will beautify The Ridge towards the Lakkar Bazaar side. A smart station will be built for horses,” Rai said. Krishnanagar Government School will be developed as a smart school under the mission. “We have built six e-toilets and 10 more e-toilets are proposed at different locations,” the Superintending Engineer said.