Promising smart LED streetlights, EV charging stations, organised parking facilities, modern sewerage systems, safe footpaths across all 17 wards and green parks in every ward, the Congress on Thursday released its manifesto for the Dharamsala Municipal Corporation elections, outlining 29 commitments focused on civic infrastructure, tourism and urban development.
Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu released the manifesto in the presence of AICC in-charge of Himachal Rajni Patil, Agriculture Minister Chaudhary Chander Kumar, HPCC president Vinay Kumar, former state Congress president Viplove Thakur, Kangra party president and Rajya Sabha MP Anurag Sharma and Deputy Chief Whip Kewal Singh Pathania, besides other party leaders and workers.
Key promises include expansion and completion of modern sewerage systems in merged areas, installation of smart LED streetlights, EV charging stations, organised parking facilities and development of green parks in every ward.
The Congress also promised restoration and beautification of Dal Lake, construction of safe footpaths across all 17 wards, underground cabling, free Wi-Fi and smart internet zones, digital libraries and learning centres, modern water supply systems and electric public transport services.
Other proposals include development of vending zones for street vendors, water recreation facilities near the War Memorial, gaming and innovation zones, dog shelters and promotion of Dharamsala as an international tourism and sports hub. The manifesto further proposes an open-air theatre and cultural habitat centre in Kotwali Bazaar along with skill development initiatives under the Chief Minister’s Centre for Excellence programme.
Speaking after releasing the manifesto, Sukhu said the Congress government was committed to planned urban development and sustainable infrastructure in Dharamsala. He said the government had already sanctioned works related to drainage, drains and streetlights in all municipal wards and implementation would begin soon as the tender process had been completed.
During the press conference, the Chief Minister also launched a sharp attack on the BJP, accusing the previous government of pushing the state into heavy debt while failing to create sustainable infrastructure and governance reforms. He alleged that the BJP government had received substantial revenue deficit grants but used the funds for “electoral sops” instead of reducing the state’s debt burden.
Sukhu said the present government had focused on governance reforms, education, tourism and green energy initiatives despite financial challenges. He claimed that the state’s education ranking had improved significantly after introduction of English-medium teaching in government schools and recruitment of teachers.
Highlighting development plans for Kangra and Dharamsala, Sukhu said the government was working on expansion of Gaggal airport with a land acquisition outlay of Rs 2,000 crore and was also developing heliports in Palampur, Dharamsala and Jawalamukhi. He said projects for temple tourism, tourism infrastructure and electric mobility were also being implemented.
The CM announced that an international convention centre near Tapovan was also planned at an estimated cost of Rs 400-500 crore. He further said several government offices, including the HRTC Commissioner’s office and Tourism Development Corporation headquarters, were being shifted to Dharamsala to strengthen the local economy.
Responding to questions from journalists, Sukhu dismissed BJP claims that the Congress government would collapse before completing its term and said the government remained stable and focused on development. He also assured that the government would work on strengthening solid waste management systems in Dharamsala.
