Development works reviewed; members raise issues related to roads, water supply, transport and healthcare
Shimla, September 24: The first meeting of the newly elected Zila Parishad members was held at the Zila Parishad office hall at Chalaunthi, Shimla, with Zila Parishad Chairman Bhupendra Sasodia in the chair.
The meeting reviewed development works submitted in writing by members from their respective wards. Various issues raised orally by the members were also discussed in detail with officials from the concerned departments.
Welcoming the newly elected members, Sasodia said the Zila Parishad has an important role in accelerating development across the district. He urged members to play an active role in ensuring that the benefits of government welfare schemes and development programmes reach eligible beneficiaries.
He said the Zila Parishad House serves as an effective platform for highlighting gaps in development works and conveying ground-level issues to the government. Sasodia said an online system would be introduced to enable members to submit questions and receive responses from concerned officials online, helping ensure quicker resolution of issues.
Additional District Magistrate and Chief Executive Officer, Zila Parishad Shimla, Sachin Sharma clarified that the Zila Parishad House does not have the authority to alter the design of a project or scheme, increase or reduce an approved budget, or transfer funds from one scheme to another. He said members are primarily responsible for facilitating development works in their respective areas and monitoring their quality.
District Panchayat Officer and Zila Parishad Secretary Dr Vinay Sharma conducted the proceedings. He said four newly elected members had submitted their questions and issues in writing, while other members also raised issues orally during the meeting.
Issues from Chopal area discussed
Zila Parishad member Atul Sharma raised five issues concerning the Chopal Assembly constituency. Regarding the metalling and tarring of the Kargoli Nala-Deha main road, the Public Works Department said the tender had been awarded and work would begin within a week.
Officials were directed to conduct a spot inspection with the Zila Parishad member regarding the installation of crash barriers, parapets, drains and culverts on the Pulwahal-Sarah road.
Regarding bus services and discontinued routes under the HRTC Nerwa depot, officials said the depot currently has 39 buses operating on 43 routes. Discontinued routes are expected to be restored after new electric buses become available.
Officials also informed the meeting that ₹5.50 crore is being spent on the Ghabas-Sarah road under PMGSY and construction is underway. A site inspection for road safety measures will also be conducted.
Kotgarh and Theog issues reviewed
Zila Parishad member Sandeep Sharol raised four issues concerning his area. On the proposed upgradation of Kotgarh Hospital, the BMO said the hospital caters to 11 panchayats. The proposal has been sent to the government for approval, although the hospital currently does not meet the prescribed criteria due to low OPD numbers.
The status of the Kurpan drinking water scheme was also discussed. Jal Shakti Department officials said the project is among the major drinking water schemes under construction in the state and is intended to cover around 1.31 lakh habitations in the Theog Assembly constituency. Around ₹288 crore has been spent on the project so far. Construction had been affected by landslides and has now resumed, while an additional ₹49 crore is required for completion.
The issue of discontinued HRTC routes was also raised, with officials stating that the Rampur depot currently operates 115 buses and additional routes would be restored after electric buses are added to the fleet.
The meeting also discussed pollution and environmental damage allegedly associated with the SJVN Luhri Hydroelectric Project and measures for addressing the issue.
Road and water supply issues in Junga
Zila Parishad member Khush Vikram Sen raised four written questions concerning his area. Regarding the Giri-Kufri-Junga lift drinking water scheme, officials said the project was sanctioned under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Work is currently stalled due to exhaustion of funds, and a proposal for additional funding has been sent to the Centre.
On the Kufri-Chail and Mehli-Sadhupul via Junga roads, PWD officials said one kilometre of the first phase from Mehli towards Junga had been completed. Budget has been sanctioned for the next four-kilometre stretch, and the tender process has also been completed. Metalling and tarring work is expected to begin within a month.
Officials said the upgradation of the Kufri-Chail road is also underway and is targeted for completion by mid-2027.
Khush Vikram Sen also requested that the driver deputed from Junga Hospital for operating an ambulance donated by MP Harsh Mahajan be sent back to the hospital.
Proposal to declare Deha-Chopal-Nerwa-Fedchpul road a national highway
The Zila Parishad House passed a resolution seeking the declaration of the Sainj National Highway-705 to Deha-Chopal-Nerwa-Fedchpul road as a national highway. It was decided that the proposal would be forwarded to the government for necessary action.
Members also raised several other issues related to roads, electricity, drinking water, healthcare, education, social welfare and rural development in their respective areas. Concerned departmental officials responded to the queries and provided information on measures being taken to address the issues.
