CM Sukhu says HP govt is planning to upgrade some ULBs

SHIMLA, Himachal Pradesh: The Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, informed on Thursday, December 29, that the Government of Himachal Pradesh is considering the plan to upgrade some of the urban local bodies (ULBs) in the state.

Sukhu, presiding over a review meeting of the Department of Urban Development, Town and Country Planning and Department of Municipal Corporation, said that the move will not only stop the illegal construction but will also facilitate planned development of these fast-emerging towns.

He added that besides constructing children’s parks and parking facilities, authorities should also ensure planned development in these areas. He asked the officials to come up with plans to provide proper housing facilities to slum dwellers in the state and particularly in the capital city Shimla.

Apart from that, efforts must be undertaken to make the ULBs in the state self-sufficient and self-sustainable by creating additional sources of income and introducing property tax reforms.

He also talked about ensuring optimum use of the parking facility, situated in Tutikandi, and offices working from privately rented buildings must be shifted to this parking facility. Additionally, service ducts should be provided in Shimla to remove overhanging service wires in the city.

CM expressed his concerns about the unplanned development of skywalk being built to connect Chotta Shimla to Brockhurst and Sanjauli Chowk towards the Dhalli side. The state government is also planning to shift a part of the Dhalli Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) workshop to a different place to build a bus stand for upper Shimla.