Himachal Pradesh Government wants Shimla under Smart Cities Mission and Dharamshala under Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT).
Himachal Urban Development Minister Sudhir Sharma raised these demands in a meeting with Union Urban Development Minister Venkaiah Naidu in New Delhi on Tuesday. He also discussed various other important issues relating to the development of the state.
Sharma apprised the Union Minister that Shimla city had already been included under AMRUT and there was a need to include it under the Smart-City Mission as it was the State Capital besides a famous international tourist destination.
He urged to include Shimla under the Mission as an additional city keeping in view its pre-eminent position as the largest city of the state and also its historical and heritage status.
Sharma also demanded to include Dharamshala city under AMRUT Mission which had already been included under Smart City Mission.
He said a proposal had been submitted under fast-track mode to the Government of India.
He said the Union Government had included most of the selected smart cities under AMRUT as well, therefore, Dharamshala may also be considered for inclusion under AMRUT in the larger interest of the State.
The Himachal Minister also urged the Union Minister to adopt a cluster approach to include more towns by clubbing small towns like Kullu-Manali and Mandi-Sundernagar under AMRUT.