Himachal Pradesh Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh met with Union Minister for Power, Housing, and Urban Affairs Manohar Lal Khattar in New Delhi today to push for key urban development initiatives and expedite pending central funds for the state.
During the meeting, Singh requested financial assistance, technical support, and a comprehensive planning framework to establish new planned cities. Aimed at decongesting existing urban centers, the primary proposal focuses on building a modern city modeled after Chandigarh in the border region adjacent to Chandigarh and Panchkula, leveraging shared infrastructure. Union Minister Khattar directed the state to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) and assured him of a positive review.
Singh also urged the central government to fast-track several major funding allocations. He requested the speedy sanction of ₹1,200 crore submitted under the Urban Challenge Fund and called for the immediate release of the remaining ₹64.45 crore under the AMRUT scheme to prevent delays in ongoing works.
Additionally, the state minister highlighted that only 31 out of 76 urban local bodies in Himachal Pradesh are currently covered under the used water management component of Swachh Bharat Mission 2.0, asking for additional project approvals to cover the remaining areas. He also appealed for early clearance of final DPRs for proposed street food hubs in the towns of Nadaun, Manali, Dalhousie, and Rampur.
Union Minister Manohar Lal Khattar assured the state delegation of full central cooperation and assistance across all submitted proposals.
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