Shimla, August 27
The SJVN will help the Shimla Municipal Corporation restart its diagnostic lab on The Ridge. It will also help in developing and beautifying parks on The Ridge and on the Mall Road. "The SJVN has agreed in principle to provide Rs 35 lakh to us to restart our diagnostic lab on The Ridge. Also, the power company has assured us to provide funds for the development and beautification of parks located on The Ridge and the Mall Road," said MC Commissioner Ashish Kohli.
The MC lab on The Ridge has not been functional for a few years now. "We have completed the civil work of the lab and we are hoping to install machines for basic blood tests in a month or so," said Kohli. He said the availability of a lab at such a prime location will be quite beneficial to people. "We will charge very nominal rates for tests. People will not need to go to hospitals or private labs for basic blood tests," said Kohli.
Besides, the SJVN has shown interest in developing and beautifying parks. "The SJVN has sent us an MoU, which we will sign soon. Basically, we have indentified five parks, including the Rani Jhansi park, the Daulat Singh park and the one coming up at Oakover, for development under this agreement," said Kohli.
He said the SJVN would provide Rs 15 lakh per annum for three years for this purpose. "The agreement could be increased for two more years after the completion of the first three years," said Kohli. "At the Oakover Park, we are planning to build a fountain or waterfall to make it more appealing to people," he said.
Meanwhile, the auction of MC parking lots in wards saw a lukewarm response. Only two parking lots received bids. "People have been using these parking lots without paying us anything. Now, we have decided to barricade these parking lots. Only those residents will be allowed to park their vehicles who pay the fee of Rs 800 per month," said Kohli. — TNS
Courtesy: Tribune News Service