Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on Saturday inaugurated first phase of multi-storey parking near lift constructed under Public Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
It would have capacity of parking 700 cars initially. The Rs 60 crore project will help to reduce idle parking and further facilitate the visitors. The parking has been given on lease to Shimla Tolls and Projects Private limited for concession period of 30 years.
The construction work of other two phases of the parking was underway, which will accommodate more than 1700 cars, said PK Sood MD of Shimla Tolls and Projects Private limited.
Meanwhile, a delegation of people of Cemetery, Sanjauli, stopped the cavalcade of Virbhadra Singh near Dhalli tunnel and apprised him about the dire need of Parking near the tunnel.
MlA Anirudh Singh who was also accompanying the Chief Minister supported the demand of the people and said that if parking comes up by dismantling the old PWD building, it would house more than 700 vehicles. The old PWD building at the very beginning of the road was a big hindrance for smooth transportation, as neither pick-ups nor an ambulance can enter the Cemetery.
They urged that the building could be demolished to pave way for construction of multi-storey parking, which would also help in removing idle parking on both sides of the road from DD Mehta Petrol Pump and on both ends of the tunnel in the evening.
The Chief Minister issued directions to the PWD department to immediately prepare estimate of the parking and make suitable arrangement of residences for few families staying in the PWD accommodation.