Shimla, April 24
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu on Thursday directed officials to speed up tarring work on utility ducts in Shimla, setting deadlines of May 10 for the stretch up to Shimla Club and June 15 for the stretch up to the Lift, during a review meeting of the Public Works Department.
The project, with an estimated cost of Rs 145 crore, spans around 7 kilometres from Chhota Shimla to Willy’s Park. The Chief Minister instructed officials to adhere strictly to timelines and ensure timely completion.
Sukhu said Shimla, as the state capital and a major tourist destination, attracts large numbers of visitors each year. He stressed that removing overhead cables and relocating utilities underground would improve the city’s appearance and enhance the tourist experience.
He added that the project would help preserve Shimla’s identity as the queen of the hills while boosting tourist inflow.
According to officials, the utility ducts will run across key stretches including Chhota Shimla, the Secretariat, Lok Bhawan, Oak Over, Lower Bazar and CTO up to Willy’s Park. The ducts will house electric lines, water pipelines and other cables, reducing visual clutter.
The government expects the project to improve urban infrastructure and support tourism by creating a cleaner and more organised cityscape.
