Shimla gets sanitation plan

This Himachal Pradesh capital is the first city in the state to develop a sanitation plan, Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dhani Ram Shandil said here Saturday.

Speaking at a review meeting of various departments on implementing cleanliness and sanitation programmes in urban and rural areas, he said that decentralised wastewater treatment technology was in place in some areas in Shimla.

The minister said 1,011 panchayats had been declared 'nirmal panchayats' and that Ghumarwin block in Bilaspur district was adjudged 'nirmal block'.

Shandil said a project with an outlay of Rs.168.68 crore had been submitted to central government for constructing toilets and solid and liquid waste management in rural areas.

Stressing upon the need for adopting advance technology for constructing toilets in rural areas, the minister said cross linkage of sewerage pipes with drinking water supply pipes should be checked.