Priyanka Vadra to get dream cottage in Shimla soon

CHARABRA (SHIMLA): Priyanka Vadra's dream cottage in Shimla is expected to be constructed on a larger plot, with a design typical of a hill house with plentiful use of wood, slate roofing and other local material in order to keep it eco-friendly.

The original construction was completely demolished recently. "The cottage was demolished after seeking permission from authorities," said Mohinder Singh, minister for urban development.

"Citing reasons for demolishing the cottage, the owners had said they would be buying additional land," he said.

Sources said the earlier constructed two-storey cottage had to be razed because of design flaws as well as the material used. Now the Vadras have settled for a well reputed local civil works contractor of Tibetan origin.

With senior Congress leader Vidya Stokes helping in locating the land for the Vadras, a patch of 4 bighas and 5 biswas (about an acre), was bought in August 2007 for Rs 46.97 lakh after the then Congress state government gave permission for the land sale.

Since the area is considered a high-security zone, it was only after permission from the President that Priyanka Vadra was allowed to construct a cottage.