The Congress government has neglected the Mandi Municipal Corporation for the past three-and-a-half years, said Mandi (Sadar) MLA Anil Sharma while unveiling an ambitious development vision of the BJP ahead of the civic body elections on Wednesday. Sharma, while addressing mediapersons, presented the BJP’s “Vision Document” for the next five years and announced several proposals, including the expansion of CCTV camera surveillance under the Nirbhaya Fund, smart traffic management, bypass connectivity for heavy vehicles, parking infrastructure, integrated command and control centres, riverfront development, tourism expansion and sports infrastructure. The vision document focused on the ‘Shiv Nagri Tourism Concept’, linked to the ongoing Shivdham project.
Sharma proposed high-speed elevators, public spaces and township-style facilities to boost tourism and attract visitors to the temple city. He highlighted previous landmark projects such as Indira Market, sewerage, road widening, parking facilities and commercial markets initiated during the previous BJP governments.
He said that the Municipal Corporation status for Mandi was achieved despite population-related hurdles after the previous BJP government relaxed the eligibility criteria. He added that several adjoining areas and villages were included to make the corporation viable. The BJP later won 11 seats along with the posts of Mayor and Deputy Mayor.
He alleged that after the BJP could not form government in the state in 2022, development in Mandi city came to a standstill. “The city has almost been financially choked. There is a shortage of funds and manpower, which has badly affected civic services,” he added.
The MLA said that the previous BJP government had focused on strengthening basic infrastructure such as water supply, sewerage, roads and electricity. He referred to an Rs 86-crore water supply scheme aimed at ensuring 24-hour drinking water and a Rs 138-crore sewerage improvement project approved after pipelines and civic infrastructure were damaged due to heavy rains, landslides and floods last year. He also spoke about long-term power reforms, including a proposed alternative grid connection from Dharampur to prevent blackouts in Mandi city.
Sharma appealed to voters that since the BJP had consistently delivered development rather than promises, they should support the party to return to power and accelerate Mandi’s transformation into a modern and well-planned city.
