Solan needs a Municipal Corporation status.

Rajeev Khanna

It is high time that local civic body in Solan city is given the status of a Municipal Corporation (MC). After all it is the city recording the highest growth and the district has emerged as the economic capital of the state of Himachal Pradesh.

To cater to the ever increasing burden of the population the local body needs an early upgradation. The needs of the city can be classified into civic amenities and a manifold increase in the existing infrastructure.

The matter has once again been brought to the notice of the state government and the people are looking forward to getting the MC status soon. This would help in terms of the city getting more funds from various central schemes and would accelerate the journey of the town towards becoming a Smart City in the near future.

The locals feel that since Solan district is the top contributor to the revenue earned by the state government, its district headquarter deserves a better deal.

The city residents have formed a Solan Nagar Nigam Sangharsh Samiti (SNNSS) to spearhead the movement for obtaining the MC status. The Samiti had launched a signature drive last year and had obtained the support of thousands of residents. It has been reiterating its demand time and again.

The census figures of 2011 had put the population of the city at 39256 which has presently grown to an estimated 60,000 people. In addition is the floating population of about 15000 people.

Solan finds a reference across the country as well as internationally as India’s ‘Mushroom Capital’ and the ‘City of Red Gold’ on account of its rich tomato produce. It also boasts of a cantonment dating back to the British era and also India’s oldest liquor factory with globally popular brands like Old Monk and Solan No.1.

With an average literacy rate of more than 85 per cent, this second largest city also houses the biggest fruit and vegetable market of the state. It has also emerged as a major education hub with several private as well as government institutions coming up.

The local Municipal Council came into existence in 1950. The manifold increase in the population and inclusion of several adjoining areas under its umbrella over the last 68 years surely calls for an upgradation.

The SNNSS members point out that sustainable development can be ensured only if the local body is upgraded to a corporation and funds from schemes like Smart City and several other projects find their way to the MC. “At present we do not even qualify for benefits under many central schemes,” pointed a senior functionary of the SNNSS.

Over the years the city has emerged as the prime choice for housing among people not only from the other districts but also from other states giving it a cosmopolitan outlook. The large enrollment of students from Himachal as well as other states and their housing in paying guest accommodation has been giving youthful vibrancy to the city. The city is constantly witnessing cultural and sporting events with active participation from the government, administration and the locals. All this would get a further fillip if a Municipal Corporation comes into existence at the earliest.