SHIMLA: The Himachal Pradesh government is set to draft a Land Pooling Policy inspired by successful land assembly models seen in states like Punjab.
This decision came during a Cabinet Sub-Committee meeting chaired by Revenue, Horticulture, and Tribal Development Minister Jagat Singh Negi on Wednesday.
The Cabinet Sub-Committee aims to devise solutions to ease congestion in Shimla and major industrial areas, such as Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh (BBN), while placing special emphasis on relocating wholesale markets (mandis).
During the meeting, detailed discussions took place regarding the development of a new township in the BBN area and establishing a satellite town similar to Chandigarh.
The Deputy Commissioner of Solan and the Chief Executive Officer of HIMUDA informed the committee that approximately 7,042 bighas of land has been consolidated for the proposed project.
Rural Development and Panchayati Raj Minister Anirudh Singh and Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh were also present.
The committee reviewed traffic congestion issues in Shimla, scrutinizing major bottlenecks, including Chhota Shimla Chowk, Sanjauli Chowk, Baluganj Junction, Tutikandi Junction, and various other locations identified by the Town and Country Planning Department.
The Public Works Department, Himachal Pradesh Road and Infrastructure Development Corporation (HPRIDC), and Ropeway and Rapid Transport System Development (RTDC) have been mandated to conduct regular inspections of these junctions and devise timely plans for congestion relief.
Additionally, the committee discussed relocating wholesale markets that contribute to traffic congestion in the city to more appropriate locations outside Shimla near the recently constructed four-lane highway.
The Superintendent of Police for Shimla has been instructed to implement strict measures for effective traffic management in critical areas, including Shoghi and Dhami.
Instructions have also been issued to prevent parking on both sides of roads and to identify and develop sufficient parking facilities as necessary.
