The Union Ministry of Urban Development has approved a shelf of 8 projects with an estimated project cost of Rs. 217.26 crores under UIDSSMT of JNNURM. Urban Development Minister Shri Sudhir Sharma today disclosed that these eight schemes include water supply schemes for Rampur, Nagrota, Kangra, Mandi, Manali and Kullu Towns. It also includes sewerage scheme for Baddi and Nalagarh. He said the matter had been taken up with the Government of India for sanctioning of 23 other schemes for different towns of the State pertaining to up-gradation of urban infrastructure amounting to approximately Rs.345 crore. He stated that the Detailed Project Reports for these projects were being appraised by the Govt. of India and it was expected that these would be approved shortly. The Minister said that the department of Urban Development had prioritized obtaining sanction and funding from Govt. of India for creating infrastructure in the urban areas of the country. The projects amounting to Rs. 15.54 crores already stands sanctioned for water supply schemes and roads of Dharamshala and Rewalsar towns. He stated that the priority of his department was to ensure timely completion of the schemes while maintaining the quality. He also said that keeping in view the fragile environment of the State and the fact that the Himachal was an international tourist destination, efforts would be made to present a clean and beautiful environment to the tourist for which efforts were being made to improve the sanitation facilities in the towns and also beautify them.