HP, Singapore sign MoU for smart integrated township

Himachal Pradesh government today signed a preliminary Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Singapore government for developing a smart integrated township in Jathiadevi near Shimla airport.
The MoU was signed between Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) and Asian Pacific Singapore Enterprise in the presence of Urban Development and Town and Country Planning and Housing minister Sudhir Sharma during a meeting here.
Presiding over the meeting of delegates of the Singapore Cooperation Enterprise (SCE), government of Singapore and senior officers of the HIMUDA, Sharma said development of a smart integrated township near the state capital was an ambitious project of the government which would go a long way in decongesting the highly populated city.

He said the population of Shimla has increased 10 times, which was initially developed for 25 thousand people only, resulting in congestion and over utilisation of infrastructure and it was high time for development of a smart integrated township outside the city with a state-of-the-art social, physical, institutional and economic infrastructure.
He said HIMUDA has acquired 32 hectare land for developing this township at Jatiadevi which was connected by three national highways.
"The preliminary MoU has been signed today for this project which will be expanded soon after detailed discussions between the two governments and the state is also looking forward to explore possibilities for expanding this MoU for more housing projects in the state as well", the minister said.

He said a working group has been constituted with representatives from both the governments to chalk out plan, exchange of ideas and working on key factors for this new township, adding in order to enhance quality of life of the citizens and ensure social inclusion, boosting economic and environmental impact, the state government was working for developing smart integrated townships with futuristic planning.
Kevin Chong, Director, Asia Pacific said SCE was very keen to assist HIMUDA in the project and the new township would be developed in a cost effective manner, smartly with Asian concept.
He said the township would be developed as per the expectations of the state government and taking into consideration the topography and other conditions of this hilly state.