Uncertainty over Shimla Ridge restoration project

Subhash Rajta

Tribune News Service

Shimla, January 7

The Ridge restoration is one of the key projects to be dropped from the list of works to be funded by the Shimla Smart City Mission. Another major project that might miss out on the Smart City funding is the proposed construction of a Municipal Corporation building at an estimated cost of Rs 58 crore.

Clearance-related issues

• Smart City approved a budget of Rs 22 crore for The Ridge restoration, but there are clearance-related issues
• The MC has not been able to get clearance from the Forest Department. While the Forest Department is insisting on clearance under the Forest Conservation Act, the MC is trying to get clearance at the local level

Seek help of NGT

We are requesting the agencies concerned to process our case and put it up for NGT’s consideration — Satya Kaundal, Mayor

“Smart City approved a budget of Rs 22 crore long back for The Ridge restoration, but there are clearance-related issues with the project. If the departments concerned can sort out these hindrances in a couple of months, Smart City could still consider funding the project,” said Brahm Prakash, GM (Technical), Smart City.

The project has been hanging fire for a while now because the MC has not been able to get clearance from the Forest Department. While the Forest Department is insisting on clearance under the Forest Conservation Act, the MC is trying to get clearance at the local level.

Meanwhile, the Smart City BoD has asked the MC to complete the formalities for the construction the MC office within 2-3 months. The MC intends to house all its departments under one roof for the convenience of people.

“We are requesting the agencies concerned to process our case and put it up for NGT’s consideration,” said Mayor Satya Kaundal. MC, however, has limited time to seek NGT permission.

The MC, however, has limited time to seek NGT permission. The MC’s proposal for repair of drains in various wards at an estimated cost of Rs 10 crore has been shelved. “This will be done through AMRUT scheme now,” the GM said. Another project that has been shelved for want to clearances or feasibility issues is the proposed lift from Cart Road to Bentley Castle. “It was a Rs 5-crore project. But it has been shelved because of the feasibility and forest related issues,” said Brahm Prakash.

The proposal for an alternative road from Sector 3, New Shimla, to Tuti Kandi Zoo, too, has been shelved. “The estimated budged for the project was around Rs 24 crore. It could not take off because of the lack forest clearances, and was hence shelved,” said the GM.