Himachal Pradesh CM inaugurates redeveloped fountain chowk, e-bus charging depot
Shimla, June 17
Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday inaugurated the redeveloped Fountain Chowk at Kotwali Bazaar, constructed by Dharamshala Smart City Limited for Rs. 70 lakh, and dedicated a two-storey E-Bus Charging Depot and Maintenance Centre built at the old HRTC workshop premises for Rs. 11.90 crore.
Reiterating the state government's commitment to sustainable urban development and modern public transport, he also approved three new intra-city e-bus routes to strengthen public transportation in Dharamshala.
The Chief Minister said that "the redevelopment of Fountain Chowk aims to streamline traffic movement in Kotwali Bazaar while preserving the area's cultural identity and creating an attractive public space."
According to a release, as part of the project, the fountain and the statue of Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh have been repositioned to create additional road space, while the Ramleela stage and fountain area have been integrated into a unified public plaza for improved land use and traffic management.
He said the "upgraded chowk features traditional local-style murals, a variable messaging system, modern lighting, seating facilities and an aesthetically designed central fountain."
"The project reflects the government's vision of developing modern urban infrastructure while preserving local heritage and enhancing public convenience for residents and tourists alike," he added.
Referring to the E-Bus Charging Depot and Maintenance Centre, the Chief Minister said that the state-of-the-art facility is part of the government's broader strategy to promote clean, reliable and environmentally friendly public transport. He added that a similar charging infrastructure would be established at other locations across the state in the future.
Appreciating the efforts of Dharamshala Smart City Limited and Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC), the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the new facility would significantly improve the operation and maintenance of electric buses, making public transport more efficient and supporting the government's vision of sustainable mobility, the release stated.
According to the release, Youth Services, Sports and Ayush, Minister Yadvinder Goma, MP Anurag Sharma, Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, former Mayor Devender Jaggi, HRTC Vice Chairman Ajay Verma, APMC Chairman Nishu Mongra, DC Hemraj Bairwa and SP Ashok Rattan, along with senior officers, public representatives and a large number of residents, were present on the occasion.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Finally, some attention to sustainable transport in hill states! 🚌⚡ The e-bus charging depot is a big step for Dharamshala's environment. But I hope the government also focuses on regular maintenance of these buses — many electric buses in other states just sit idle due to poor planning.
Interesting to see a state government investing in e-bus infrastructure while also beautifying public spaces. The ₹11.90 crore for the charging depot seems like a reasonable investment if it actually helps reduce pollution. I'm curious how the new intra-city routes will work — Dharamshala's narrow roads could be a challenge for buses.
The traditional local-style murals and modern lighting sound lovely! 😊 But I hope the seating facilities are actually well-maintained — many such projects look good for a month then fall into disrepair. Also, why only Dharamshala? What about Shimla and Manali? They also need better public transport and footpath upgrades.
Redevelopment is always welcome, but I'm a bit skeptical about costs. ₹70 lakh for a chowk redevelopment seems high for a place like Dharamshala — hope there's transparency in spending. Still, if it helps reduce the mess near Kotwali Bazaar and makes the area tourist-friendly, then it's worth it. The e-bus initiative is the real headline here though! Good move towards green mobility. 🌿
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