The Congress on Tuesday released a development-oriented manifesto for the Solan Municipal Corporation elections containing a mix of old and new assurances to people.

Harshwardhan Chauhan, Minister for Industry and Parliamentary Affairs, while spelling out the details of the manifesto before mediapersons, promised to address key problems like traffic congestion by constructing over-bridges, introducing a smart traffic system, besides setting up adequate parking lots at various places. The Congress promised to reduce the water tariff from Rs 29 per 1,000 litre to Rs 14 per 1,000. However, the promise of providing water at Rs 100 per household it had made in the last elections was still unfulfilled. Even a Cabinet decision to shift the task of water supply to the Jal Shakti Department, which would ease the monetary burden of the civic body, has failed to come through and water scarcity has emerged as a perennial problem.

The construction of water harvesting tanks, conservation of natural water sources, overhauling of old worn-out pipes and ensuring sewerage connectivity to all households are among the key promises meant to allure voters. "Online platforms will be developed to address issues relating to water and electricity, escalators will be installed in important markets, besides e-rickshaws will be introduced," said Chauhan.

Several promises made before the 2021 elections like the construction of a modern library, development of parking lots and green spaces and a provision of sewerage connectivity had been repeated.

The Congress promised to give priority to projects related to water, road and hospitals while also installing high definition close-circuit cameras in all wards, a promise it had made in 2021 as well but not fulfilled it. The construction of foot overbridges on major crossings to facilitate women, children and specially abled persons, introduction of 'pink autos' meant for women passengers, underground power lines, organising state-level heritage fair to give impetus to economic development of locals are some new promises.

The manifesto also promised the adoption of the waste to wealth model by setting up compost units to generate self-employment, ridding the city of plastic, introduction of smart dustbins and making the city clean and green.