Shimla, November 29 : Prof. Prem Kumar Dhumal. Chief Minister today laid the foundation stone of two vital multi-storey parking slots creating additional parking facilities for 1088 vehicles at a cost of Rs. 65 crore.
Addressing a well attended public meeting at Sanjauli, Chief Minister, said that it was during the earlier BJP regime that parking facility for 2000 vehicles was created in the capital town which stood at only 129 vehicles at that stage. He said that both the parking slots were being developed by the private parties at their own cost which would be paying concession fee to the Municipal Corporation on becoming operational thereby generating income to the Corporation. He said that parking near the lift would also be of six storeys and create commercial area of about 40,000 sq. feet. He said that project cost would be Rs. 40 crore and facilitate parking of 700 vehicles. He said that the Lift Parking slot had been awarded to M/S Shimla Tolls and Projects Private Limited for concession period of 30 years. He said that the Sanjauli parking would be of seven storeys which included commercial area of 34,400 sq. feet and facilitate parking of 388 vehicles. He said that the project cost had been estimated at Rs. 25 crore and awarded to M/S Tantia Sanjauli Parking Constructions Limited, for a concession period of 30 years.
Prof. Dhumal said that the State Government had proposed to construct parking complexes in almost all the wards of Municipal Corporation, Shimla, out of which three parking projects had been finalized for Chhota Shimla, Sanjauli and Lift. He said that parking had emerged as a priority with the people visiting Shimla and those residing in town permanently. He said that with the increase in population and expansion of the township, demand of creating additional parking slots had surfaced as a priority. He said that in order to meet the demand, the State Government was endeavouring to create maximum parking slots to facilitate parking of increased number of vehicles. He appealed to the vehicle owners to park their vehicles inside the marked yellow line with a view to leave sufficient space for smooth plying of vehicles, especially emergency vehicles. He directed the authorities to view illegal parking seriously and take action under traffic regulations so that such practices were curbed. He said that vehicle owners also needed to be sensitized about the traffic rules so that they did not violate the same. He said that Shimla happened to be internationally acknowledged as important historic town besides world class tourist destination and it was the joint responsibility of every citizen to preserve its grandeur and glory so that more tourists were attracted to visit round the year.
Chief Minister appealed to the people for spreading awareness about cleanliness and completely curb use of plastic carry bags and polythene, which had been major impediments in the preservation of environment of the town. He also appealed to them to incorporate rain water harvesting structures into their housing plans so that water thus collected, could be utilized for non consumption purposes and drinking water saved for bona-fide purposes. He directed the constructors to complete the projects in a time bound manner so that facilities could be made available to the people at the earliest.
Shri Narender Bragta, Horticulture and Technical Education Minister, thanked the Chief Minister for dedicating Giri Drinking water Supply Scheme, ISBT and Sanjauli bye-pass to the residents of the town besides creating additional parking slots.
Shri Suresh Bhardwaj, local MLA, welcomed the initiative of the State Government in creation of quality infrastructural facilities in the town. He said that Shimla had emerged the best tourist destination the world over. He said that with the additional parking slots more vehicles would be parked conveniently. He thanked the Chief Minister for approval of new traffic plan for the commuters in the town.
Smt. Madhu Sood, Mayor, Municipal Corporation, welcomed the Chief Minister and thanked him for laying foundation of two important projects for the people of the town. She said that the Corporation was endeavouring to create parking slots in each ward in the town.
Shri Harish Janartha, Deputy Mayor, proposed vote of thanks and also apprised the Chief Minister of various local demands.
Shri A.N. Sharma, Commissioner, Municipal Corporation, detailed the activities of the Corporation and said that added emphasis was being laid over the creation of parking facilities.
Shri Ganesh Datt, Vice Chairman, HIMUDA, Shri Narender Kataria, former Mayor, Shri Tarsem Bharti, Senior BJP Leader, Shri Rajesh Sharda, President, Shimla BJP Mandal, Shri P.C.Dhiman, Principal Secretary Housing and Urban Bodies, Shri Onkar Sharma, Deputy Commissioner, Shri Sonal Agnihotri, SP, Smt. Poornima Chauhan, Director, Urban and Local Bodies, councilors and other prominent people of the area were present on the occasion.
