Shimla, April 27: Kagnadhar, once a neglected corner of Shimla, is now rewriting the script of development. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu will inaugurate the first-ever parking facility at Phase-3, Kagnadhar, on May 4 at 12:30 PM — a proud first for the ward.
"No Chief Minister has ever set foot in Kagnadhar before. It's a proud moment for all of us," said Ram Ratan Verma, the proactive councillor of Kagnadhar, who led a residents' delegation to invite the CM.
Built at a cost of ₹2 crore funded by the Shimla Municipal Corporation, the new parking lot can accommodate up to 50 vehicles. Verma, who already holds the rare distinction of winning the 'Swachh Ward' title twice in a row, called it a "turning point" for the area.
"For years, Kagnadhar was left to rot — choked drains, broken culverts, no basic facilities. In the past two years alone, we have pushed through work worth ₹17-20 crore.
Earlier HIMUDA Colony was in mess. Today colony and other areas here have clean water tanks, repaired sewerage, reopened culverts, new clean streets and stairs, pedestrian path, and a dedicated team of 20 sweepers working daily that cost MC Rs 3 lakh per month," Verma said.
Importantly, the parking has been built entirely with Municipal Corporation funds — not a single rupee from HIMUDA, Verma pointed out.
The Shimla Mayor, Surinder Chauhan, confirmed the parking will be run by the Municipal Corporation, as per the norm across the city.
Taking another major step, Verma said he is pushing for yellow lines to be painted on one side of the roads facing houses in the HIMUDA colony.
"This will give residents a dedicated parking space and will keep stray vehicles from other areas out of our colony," he stressed urging RWA to cooperate and allow the yellow line.
Pushing further, Verma has now secured approval for a five-storied private parking project at Lower Kagnadhar, which will ease congestion by providing space for 400 vehicles.
"Our roads are choking with vehicles from Vikasnagar, other adjoining areas. Residents deserve their own dedicated parking — and we can ensure it through yellow line and more parking lots if Himuda cooperate," Verma asserted.
Highlighting the sharp contrast with earlier times when "rackets and misuse were the norm," Verma said, "Kagnadhar today has become a model ward — a living example that honest work can change lives."
#KagnadharRising #DevelopmentModel #ShimlaParkingRelief #CleanGreenShimla
