Shimla Municipal Corporation Seeks Additional Central Funds for Hill Areas to Tackle Natural Disasters

The Shimla Municipal Corporation has urged the central government to allocate separate budgetary provisions for hill cities to better manage natural disasters caused by heavy rainfall.

Mayor Surender Chauhan raised this demand while attending a two-day conference organized by the Arise Cities Forum in New Delhi recently.

Chauhan said that cities like Shimla suffer extensive damage every year due to natural calamities, and restoring damaged infrastructure remains a major challenge because of limited financial resources.

He noted, “Moreover, the cost of construction in hilly terrains like Shimla is significantly higher than in other parts of the country. Therefore, additional financial assistance from the central government is essential to ensure sustainable and inclusive urban development.”

The Mayor also mentioned that around 5,000 saplings are being planted across Shimla as part of ongoing environmental conservation efforts. This monsoon alone, the city has incurred losses exceeding ₹20 crore due to natural disasters, with roads suffering the most damage.