Dharamshala: Included in the smart city project in the second phase, Dharamshala in terms of planning and getting work started on the project is the leading city in the country, Sudhir Sharma, minister for urban development stated here.
He said that the state government had already received Rs 185 crore from the central government for the project funding that is to be met in a 90:10 ratio between centre and state funds. The minister, who is also the MLA from the city, also thanked the centre for converting the funding pattern from 50:50 to 90:10, in favour of the state.
The Dharamshala Smart City project is a Rs 2109 crore project that is to be completed in 5 years, said Sharma.
He disclosed that a SPV named ‘Dharamshala Smart City Limited’ had been set up and a Managing Director cum CEO has also been appointed.
As part of the garbage collection system the city would be installing underground dustbins that would be equipped with censors to keep the authorities informed about its filling.
Other smart initiatives, which have already started are include street lighting whereby the 6000 lights( 2500 existing to be replaced plus 3500 new poles) are being changed to LED street lightning system. The state government would also be providing similar street lights in the villages, panchayat around the smart city.
Improved roads, 24×7 water supply, parks with open air gymnasiums four swimming pools at Dari area, a smart parking facility, E-nagarpalika, street lighting poles with public wi-fi, announcement system, CCTV cameras, digital displays, environment displays and other facilities are to be created under the project. Office of Dharamshala Smart City is to be set up at Chilgari and the space has been provided for, said Sharma.
Arvind Sharma is an award winning bi-lingual journalist with more than 20 years of experience.
He has worked with Divya Himachal, Dainik Jagran, Dainik Bhasker, Vir Partap, Ajit and PTI.
In 2010, he was conferred the Himachal Kesri journalism award. He reports on the Tibetan Government in Exile, politics, sports, tourism and other topics. He lives in Dharamshala.
