The task to convert Shimla into a Smart City began on Tuesday with the launch of public engagement phase by Himachal Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh.
In his suggestions, the Chief Minister said that the entire roof tops should be regularly painted in Shimla city to give it beautiful look of hill station. System should be evolved to curb social evils like drug menace so that energy of youth could be channelised for creative works, he added.
Virbhadra Singh appealed to general public to give their valuable suggestions towards making Shimla Smart City so that the capital could become model City not only in the State but also in the entire country. He said suggestions of common man were important for building of any society and their views should be incorporated for future development of any area.
He asked planners, doctors, engineers and experts to express their opinion with freedom so that wider opinion could be converged for best development of Shimla. He said green patches in and around Shimla should be developed into beautiful parks so that green cover could expand around the city.
The CM said heritage buildings in the city should be preserved with retrofitting process to enhance their eminence and beauty which could be major tourist attraction. The crowded streets of the city should also be decongested with active cooperation of the residents of Shimla.
He added that proposal for Smart City will only be finalized with valuable suggestions of the people of Shimla. Every citizen should express his vision for betterment of the city for next 50 years.
The Chief Minister was apprised that suggestions could be filed online on www.missionsmartshimla.com web portal. The residents of the city will be given citizens engagement forms by workers of Municipal Corporation Shimla. As many as, 1.5 lac forms have been printed for distribution and suggestions of citizens in the city. These forms will be collected by MC men after one week of distribution. The forms could be deposited at MC office or respective ward offices.