The traditional glory of State capital would be restored and preserved, said Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh after laying the foundation stone of a prestigious Rs 32 crore Shimla Mall Road and the Town Hall restoration and rehabilitation project.
Speaking to the mediapersons on the occasion, the Chief Minister said that conservation of the heritage Town Hall building would be done without altering or disturbing the outside structural design of the building. “The Government was committed to preserving old heritage buildings and all efforts would be made to maintain their magnificence,” he said.
Constructed in 1908, the Town Hall currently houses the city’s Municipal Corporation. Funded by Asian Development Bank’s tourism project for Himachal Pradesh, Shimla Mall Road restoration project involves better road surfacing of the core shopping arcade area and The Ridge.
Giving details about the project, Tourism Director, Mohan Chauhan said that restoration work would be carried out at Scandal Point, in front of the Town Hall, rain shelters adjacent to Rotary Club, Sher-e-Punjab junction and the sitting area near Oberoi Clarkes Hotel. The beautification drive would also include maintenance of gardens and parks near Town hall, Daulat Singh Park and Rani Jhansi Park.
The restoration project involved construction of stone V & U drains along all retaining walls, stone edging on both sides of the roads besides cast iron benches with wooden planks with and without backrest, double-side benches, in-situ benches and platforms with railing as back rest. All underground wires would be laid prior to surfacing of roads.
Chauhan said the Tourism Department proposed setting up three escalators connecting The Mall Road. Virbhadra adds that after night-time illumination, the Gaiety theatre, Town Hall, Scandal point, Ashiana at Ridge, Christ Church, State library and Chinar Tree would give a look of traditional grandeur to the historic town. Vice-chairman, HP Tourism Development Board Maj Vijay Singh Mankotia was also present.