Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur virtually inaugurated and laid foundation stones of developmental projects worth about Rs 100 crore for Dharamshala town under the Smart City Project from Shimla today.The project inaugurated by the Chief Minister includes Rs 3.55 crores 62 Smart Class Rooms in 11 schools, Rs 2.12 crore Roof Top Power PV Plant of MC Community Hall, Zonal Hospital, HP Education Board, SAI Indoor Stadium, SP Office, Mini Secretariat and Divisional Commissioner Office and Rs. 3.51 crore Sewerage Treatment Plant (STP) based on Root Zone Technology at Bhagsu Nag, Old Chari Road, Ram Nagar and Chelian. He also inaugurated Mahila Police Station building, Dharamshala constructed at a cost of Rs. five crore.Chief Minister laid foundation stone of Rs 27.82 crore improving existing walkways, Rs 5.53 crore parking near Dalai Lama Temple, Rs 4.67 crore upgradation of Mountaineering Institute, Rs 3.03 crore Smart Playgrounds in Government Senior Secondary School (Boys) Dharamshala, Rs 24.22 crore Smart LED based street lights, Rs 7.19 crore augmentation and upgradation of Sewerage System for Dharamshala town, Rs 2.78 crore STP based on Root Zone Technology, Naddi, Rs 10.40 crore Faecal Sludge and Septage Management System and Rs 65 lakh Nature Park near St. John’s Church.
Speaking on the occasion, Chief Minister said that the State Government was committed to make Dharamshala a Smart City with world class civic and other facilities. He directed the officers to ensure time bound completion of all the projects, foundation stones of which were laid by him today, so that people of Dharamshala town could be benefitted. He said that Dharamshala was not only the second most important town of the State after Shimla, but was a famous tourist destination. He said that steps would be taken for maintaining and preserving the glory of this town.Jai Ram Thakur said that nature has endowed Dharamshala with immense natural beauty and salubrious climatic conditions. He said that being the seat of His Holiness the Dalai Lama, Dharamshala has witnessed international prominence. He said that Smart City Project would go a long way in making this City more beautiful and attractive both for foreign as well as domestic tourists and place worth living for the local people with modern civic facilities. He said that the Covid-19 pandemic affected the pace of progress of various projects under Smart City Project. He directed the officers to expedite the work on these projects so that these could be completed within stipulated time period.Chief Minister said that the local representatives must also ensure regular monitoring of projects under execution, so that they could be completed within the stipulated time period.
Urban Development Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that this was an historic day for the people of Dharamshala town, as projects worth about Rs 100 crore were dedicated to the people of the town by the Chief Minister. He said that all the projects dedicated today by the Chief Minister would go a long way in making Dharamshala a real Smart City. He said that all the internal roads were being provided interlocking tiles to make the roads more attractive and comfortable. He also felt the need for better coordination between different departments to give boost to the pace of development.Forests Minister Rakesh Pathania said that all the works under the Smart City Projects would be completed within the next two years. He said that these projects were bound to make Dharamshala one of the most beautiful town of the State.MP Kishan Kapoor while addressing the event virtually from Delhi said that Dharamshala town has emerged as one of the most vibrant town of the State attracting lakhs of tourists visiting every year, not only from India but also from several other countries. MLA Dharamshala Vishal Nehariya while welcoming the Chief Minister and other dignitaries said that Dharamshala town has witnessed unprecedented development during the last about three years. He urged the Chief Minister to construct an Entry Gate at the entry point of Dharamshala, so that the people get the feeling of Smart City while entering the city. He also detailed various developmental demands of the area. He said that adequate parking must be developed in the Dharamshala town to facilitate the general public as well as the tourists.Deputy Commissioner Kangra Rakesh Prajapati, Commissioner Municipal Corporation Dharamshala Pradeep Thakur, Superintendent of Police Kangra Vimukt Ranjan were present at Dharamshala on the occasion.