By: Vijay Kumar Verma, Editor-ICN Group
SHIMLA: Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur inaugurated the Rs. 8 crore renovated town hall complex at the Mall, Shimla last evening.
Inaugurating, he said that the Town Hall, Shimla was another ambitious project which was today dedicated to the people of the state. Apart from historic Gaiety Theatre, the Town Hall building is another USP of the town.
The British-era Tudor-style structure has thus been restored to its original look after more than two years
The Asian Development Bank had taken up to fund 70 percent of the renovation work estimated at Rs.8 crore initially. The Himachal Pradesh government had set to restore the iconic Town Hall located on The Mall, which is a favourite haunt of the visitors seen taking selfies in front of the building. The building had been constructed in 1908.
Inaugurating the town hall building, the CM said that Rs. 26 crore project with ADB assistance had also been taken up for renovation of Bantony Castle.
Jai Ram Thakur said that the government was adopting policy of zero tolerance against corruption and no compromise would be made in quality of construction in various developmental projects. It was with this objective that the Quality Control Cell has been established in the Chief Minister’s Office.
He felicitated the Country Director of ADB Kenichi Yokoyama and other member of ADB on the occasion.
Education Minister Suresh Bhardwaj said that these two projects dedicated today would go a long way in promoting the tourism activities in the state. He said that the Town Hall was the historic and monumental building of the town which has been renovated by maintaining the old design and architect. He said that all these projects dedicated today were got sanctioned by state government headed the then Chief Minister Prem Kumar Dhumal.
Kenichi Yokoyama also appreciated the efforts of the state government in completing this project in a stipulated time period. He said that the car parking facility would prove a boon for the tourists and general public as the long pending demand has been fulfilled.
Additional Chief Secretary, Tourism Ram Subhag Singh said that it was a historic day for the people of the Shimla town as the two mega projects worth about Rs. 90 crore have been dedicated by the Chief Minister.
Project Director, ADB Parveen Gupta presented the vote of thanks.
Member Parliament Virender Kashyap, Mayor Kusum Sadrate, Deputy Mayor Rakesh Sharma, Chairperson, Saksham Gudiya Board Roopa Sharma, Additional Principal secretary to the Chief Minister Sanjay Kundu, Member, State Public Service Commission Dr. Rachna Gupta were present on the occasion.
