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Singapore to assist township development in Northern India


Singapore to assist township development in Northern India

The township aims to de-congest the historic town of Shimla

Shimla's infastructure is struggling to keep up with a growing population. saiko3p/Shutterstock
Shimla’s infastructure is struggling to keep up with a growing population. saiko3p/Shutterstock

The Singapore government signed a preliminary memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the Indian state of Himachal Pradesh last week, to develop an integrated township “Greater Shimla.”

Singapore will provide technical assistance to provide relief to a burgeoning population in the nearby town of Shimla, a historic mountain town, famous for being a retreat to Mahatma Gandhi, and was also the preferred summer camp during the British occupation.

The MoU is between Himachal Pradesh Housing and Urban Development Authority (HIMUDA) and the Asian Pacific Singapore Enterprise, reports India’s Economic Times.

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Shimla city was initially developed for 25,000 people but there has since been a population increase of ten times this amount. The town will occupy 400 bighas (160 acres) of land.

“The preliminary MoU has been signed today for this project which will be expanded soon after detailed discussions between the two governments. The state is also looking forward to explore possibilities for expanding this MoU for more housing projects in the state as well,” said town and country planning and housing minister, Sudhir Sharma.
He added that the state will benefit from Singaporean urban planning expertise.

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Source: Property Report