Login   /  Register

Updated At: Jul 27, 2022 07:43 AM (IST)

Employees of Horticulture Department planting saplings on a wall in Shimla. Tribune photo

The gigantic concrete walls built to widen the narrow Shimla roads will soon sport a green look. The Horticulture Division of the Public Works Department is planting around 5,500 flowering shrubs and creepers on and around these walls so that they are in sync with the overall green surroundings of the city.

“We have already completed 60 per cent of the work. We hope to plant the remaining plants in another 10-15 days,” said Ravi Sharma, Executive Engineer, Horticulture Division, PWD.

Several concrete walls have been built along the Circular Road and other roads in the city under the Shimla Smart City Mission to widen them. While the widening has eased the flow of traffic to a large extent, the concrete walls, however, have marred the green look of the city. “Once these flowers bloom, the concrete walls will merge seamlessly into the green environs of the city. Shrubs and creepers will be visible then and not the concrete walls,” said Sharma.

Fibre walls, hanging pots and brick planters are being used to plant shrubs and creepers on these walls. “We have chosen plants that are suitable to Shimla’s climate. Besides, the plants chosen are not appealing to monkeys. So, they are not likely to damage these plants,” said Sharma.

Considering that the PWD’s Horticulture Division runs on a skeletal staff, maintenance of these plants would be a big concern. “We are roping in schools and private sector banks for the maintenance of the plantation. In fact, the plantation from Kasumpti till Brockhurst has been done by the students of Government School, Kasumpti. The Eco Club of the school will look after the plantation on this stretch. Likewise, we are in talks with several other schools to take care of the plantation close to the institution,” said Sharma. “We are also trying to rope in various corporate banks and the SJVN for maintenance. Moreover, the wives of IAS officers have also shown interest in plantation and its maintenance,” said Sharma.

Apart from decorating the grey and morose concrete walls, the Horticulture Division has constructed a few small parks along the Shoghi-Mehli bypass road. “We have converted many small dumping sites and other unused pieces of land into small parks, where people can sit and enjoy the beautiful surroundings,” said Sharma.

Debate on price rise likely on Monday

Re-fixation with effect from July 1, 2019: MoS

20 Indian Army personnel laid down their lives in Galwan cla...

Jalandhar Improvement Trust case referred to Vigilance after...

The Tribune, now published from Chandigarh, started publication on February 2, 1881, in Lahore (now in Pakistan). It was started by Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia, a public-spirited philanthropist, and is run by a trust comprising four eminent persons as trustees.

The Tribune, the largest selling English daily in North India, publishes news and views without any bias or prejudice of any kind. Restraint and moderation, rather than agitational language and partisanship, are the hallmarks of the paper. It is an independent newspaper in the real sense of the term.

The Tribune has two sister publications, Punjabi Tribune (in Punjabi) and Dainik Tribune (in Hindi).

Remembering Sardar Dyal Singh Majithia

Designed and Developed by: Grazitti Interactive