In a major beautification drive of State Capital Shimla, the Himachal Pradesh Government would spend Rs144 crore under various tourism projects, including restoration and renovation of two catholic Churches of British era located in the town, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said on Thursday.
He was speaking after dedicating a 100-feet high monumental flag to the nation at the historical Ridge in Shimla. This is the third such monumental flag in the State after the one at Dalhousie and Kullu.
The Chief Minister said that under the beautification project, Rs23 crore would be spent on restoration of Mall road from Telegraph office to Shimla Club, restoration of Town Hall with an outlay of Rs8 crore, extension of another Shimla Mall Road project amounting to Rs33 crore, Rs65 crore multipurpose parking complex at Tuti-Kandi and restoration of two Church with estimated cost of Rs15 crore.
“We need to extend every basic facility to the residents of Shimla town, besides the visitors and it was the duty of one and all to keep the city ‘green & clean and make it one of the attractive tourist destination globally”, added Virbhadra Singh.
The Chief Minister said that to facilitate the visitors, the work on the ropeway project from Jodha Niwas to Jakhu was under progress and similarly various rope-way projects were being set up in the State.
“I want to maintain the original status of Shimla as ‘Queen of Hills’ and every effort is being made by the Government in this direction”, he said.
Earlier, the Chief Minister inaugurated the Cash Branch of Municipal Corporation Shimla in Padam Dev Commercial Complex at the Ridge, which would facilitate the people to pay their bills under one roof. He also launched Employees Welfare Fund of MC Shimla for the welfare of employees of the Corporation. Virbhadra Singh lauded the efforts of MC, Shimla, the Urban Development and the Tourism Department for the initiatives in developing Shimla city by planned growth.
He also performed foundation stone laying ceremony of ‘Book Cafe’ at the Ridge where a rare collection of books pertaining to the history and culture of the State would be shelved and proves an opportunities to the visitors and researchers to know more about the town and the State as well.
The Chief Minister also witnessed a band concert and march past by the men in uniform from the Indian Army. He was honoured by PM Hariz GoC-in-C of ARTRAC and by lt. General Raman Dhawan on the occasion after ceremonial hoisting of the monumental National Tricolour.
Sanjay Chauhan, Mayor of the town, said MC Shimla was making concerted efforts to preserve the historic glory of the town so as to make the Capital an attractive tourist destination of the World. He also thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating various developmental projects and also for new measures being taken for beautification of the town.