Shimla traffic: Vikramaditya Singh stresses on resuming construction of flyover at Vidhansabha junction and bridge over Victory tunnel

Shimla: Public Works Department (PWD) Minister Vikramaditya Singh has sought the Indian Railway Board’s approval to resume key infrastructure projects in Shimla, aimed at easing the city’s persistent traffic problems. In a meeting with Chairman and CEO of Indian Railway Board Satish Kumar in New Delhi today, Singh stressed on immediately resuming the construction work of the flyover at Vidhansabha junction and bridge along with Victory tunnel, both of which were stalled due to delay in approval from Northern Railway.

Singh highlighted the crucial role of these projects in easing traffic congestion in Shimla, a city that attracts thousands of tourists every year. “Flyovers and bridges are essential to remove traffic bottlenecks in the centre of Shimla. The work has been stalled for months, and further delay will worsen the situation for both residents and visitors,” Singh stressed during his meeting.

The construction of these two major structures, which are part of the city’s larger infrastructure development under the Smart City project, had been stalled since April. Delays in approvals were hampering progress, leading to traffic congestion, especially around the Vidhan Sabha and Vijay tunnel areas – both major traffic junctions.

Responding to Singh’s concerns, Satish Kumar directed railway officials to take immediate action. “The issues that caused the delay have been resolved, and work will resume immediately,” he assured. He said the resumption of construction will bring much-needed relief to Shimla’s traffic management efforts.

Apart from the stalled flyovers and viaducts, Vikramaditya Singh also discussed the expansion of Himachal Pradesh’s railway network, with a special focus on the Bhanupali-Bilaspur railway line. The expansion is expected to improve connectivity in the state and increase travel options for both locals and tourists. Satish Kumar confirmed that the Bhanupali-Bilaspur project is progressing as per schedule.

After the meeting, Vikramaditya Singh expressed his gratitude to the Railway Board for acting promptly on his request. Singh said, “I appreciate the prompt action taken by the chairman and his team. Restarting these stalled projects is crucial to easing Shimla’s traffic burden, and I am glad that the Railway Board has taken steps to address this issue.”

The flyover at Vidhansabha Junction and the viaduct along with the Victory Tunnel are part of broader efforts to modernise Shimla’s infrastructure and ease congestion. Once completed, these projects are expected to streamline traffic flow, making commuting and tourism in the city smoother and more efficient.