Shimla MC Mayor seeks special grants at Barcelona expo

Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan recently attended the four-day Smart City International Corporation Expo in Barcelona, Spain, where he advocated for special grants to support the ongoing development projects in Shimla. Facing financial constraints, the Mayor highlighted the need for additional funds, arguing that hilly states like Himachal Pradesh require greater support due to higher production and transportation costs in mountainous areas.

During the expo, which included participants from various countries, discussions focused on urban development and strategies to improve smart cities worldwide. Chauhan expressed that Shimla, as a historic town and former summer capital of India, deserves special attention in its development efforts. He emphasised the importance of adopting global best practices to help Shimla emerge as a model smart city.

In particular, Chauhan showed interest in sustainable energy projects, such as biogas and solar initiatives showcased at the expo. He indicated that Shimla could benefit from implementing solar panels and solar street lights, especially given the area’s potential for renewable energy solutions.

The Mayor also spoke about Shimla’s ongoing transition to digital systems for managing tax collections, mapping, billing and other municipal services, which were shared with international representatives at the event. These digital advancements aim to improve efficiency and transparency in municipal operations.

In related news, the Shimla Municipal Corporation announced that all 34 wards of the city have been declared open defecation free (ODF++), as part of the Swachh Bharat Mission. This achievement indicates significant progress in sanitation and cleanliness efforts in Shimla.