NewKerala.com

Key Points

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu reviewed the ongoing Rs 145-crore utility duct project in Shimla. He directed officials to complete the 7 km stretch from Chotta Shimla to Willies Park promptly. The project aims to remove overhead cable clutter and enhance the city's tourist experience. Once finished, the underground ducts will house electric, water, and other utility lines.

Key Points: Sukhu Reviews Shimla Rs 145 Crore Utility Duct Project

  • CM Sukhu directs PWD to finish the Rs 145 crore utility duct project at the earliest
  • The underground ducts will house electric, water, and other utility cables
  • Project aims to remove overhead clutter and enhance Shimla's tourist appeal
  • Construction from Chotta Shimla to Oak Over is nearly complete within 15 days
3 min read

Himachal CM reviews Rs 145-crore utility duct project in Shimla

Himachal CM Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu directs early completion of the 7 km underground cable project from Chotta Shimla to Willies Park to boost tourism.

"A city free from the clutter of overhead cables would provide a better experience for tourists. - Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu"

Shimla, October 8

Himachal Pradesh Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Wednesday reviewed the ongoing construction work of utility ducts, being built along the approximately 7 km stretch from Chotta Shimla to Willies Park at a cost of Rs 145 crore. He directed the PWD officers to complete the project at the earliest.

He said that the construction work of the duct from Chotta Shimla to Oak Over was almost complete and should be finished within the next 15 days. He directed that the tarring of the road and the installation of streetlights be completed promptly.

"Shimla, being not only the capital but also a major tourist destination of Himachal Pradesh, must retain its charm," said the Chief Minister, according to a release.

"A city free from the clutter of overhead cables would provide a better experience for tourists. This project is being implemented with an objective to further boost tourist inflow to Shimla," he added.

The utility duct network would extend from Chotta Shimla to Willies Park, Secretariat via Raj Bhavan to Oak Over and from Sher-e-Punjab through Lower Bazaar up to CTO. These ducts would accommodate underground electric and water lines along with other utility cables.

MLAs Harish Janartha and Suresh Kumar along-with senior officers from the Public Works Department, were present in the meeting.

Earlier on Tuesday, CM Sukhu said that the state government is striving to establish a robust healthcare system through infrastructure development.

He added that the state government has taken several initiatives in this direction, including the establishment of PGI Satellite Centre in Una, providing advanced equipment at Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC) Shimla and expansion of Him Care Scheme. The government is also focusing on adopting digital health systems to improve primary healthcare services and strengthening the workforce.

Chief Minister Sukhu stated that patients robotic surgery facility has been made available at Atal Super Speciality Institute, Chamiana, and Tanda Medical College. Robotic surgery will be gradually introduced at other medical colleges as well.

The Chief Minister said the integration of digital health information systems from the sub-centre level to the state level aims to improve efficiency in healthcare services. The state government has increased the remuneration of essential technical staff, including radiographers and X-ray technicians.

To address staff shortages in the health department, the government has approved the recruitment of 200 medical officers, 38 assistant professors in various super-speciality departments, and 400 staff nurses as job trainees. This will enhance the efficiency of medical colleges and hospitals across the state and ensure that people have easy access to specialised healthcare facilities.

- ANI

Share this article:

Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Rs 145 crore for 7 km seems quite expensive. While I appreciate the infrastructure development, I hope there's proper accountability and no corruption involved. The money could have been used for other pressing needs in the state.
S
Sarah B
As someone who visits Shimla regularly, this is much needed! The tangled wires spoil the colonial charm of the city. Looking forward to seeing a cleaner, more organized Shimla on my next visit. 😊
A
Arjun K
Good to see the government focusing on both infrastructure and healthcare. The utility ducts will prevent frequent road digging, and the healthcare initiatives will benefit rural areas too. Balanced development approach!
M
Michael C
The traffic disruption during this construction has been terrible. Hope they finish quickly and the end result is worth the inconvenience. Also, proper streetlights are crucial for Shimla's safety given the hilly terrain.
K
Kavya N
Excellent initiative! Shimla deserves world-class infrastructure. The underground utilities will make the city look so much better and reduce maintenance issues during harsh winters. Hope other hill stations follow this model.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

Leave a Comment

Minimum 50 characters 0/50