DHARMSHALA: Rocking the assembly session of this hill state a few months back, simians have now left the agencies executing plans to develop Dharamshala a smart city worried.

It is during public connect programmes conducted by urban development authorities that local residents complained about monkeys and stray cattle. Now, the consulting agencies are jostling to find a smart solution to the monkey menace.

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"We have made a cattle shed with a capacity of 100 and will be shifting all stray animals to that place. Monkey menace is still a concern for all, but we are working for a smart solution in this regard," told Sanjeev Saini, executing officer at municipal corporation.

There are 11 wards under the MC and the presence of monkeys has increased in the populated areas including Bhagsunag, McLoedganj, Dharamkot and Forysthganj. MC vice-president Onkar Nehria said: "We face this problem every day and now this has become a routine. But we are hopeful of finding some good suggestions from public on this matter".

Urban development authorities are holding workshops, meetings with the public to discuss various models under this project. They have asked suggestions from public which is the first phase of the smart city project.