A Modern Upgrade for Shimla’s Infrastructure

On Monday, Shimla’s Public Works and Urban Development Minister Vikramaditya Singh inaugurated a new lift connecting the Middle Bazaar to Mall Road, a development aimed at improving accessibility for senior citizens and tourists. The lift, built under the Smart City Mission, is part of the city’s broader plan to enhance its infrastructure and promote tourism. This new facility is expected to significantly benefit local businesses by easing the movement of visitors and residents in Shimla’s busy commercial areas.

Costing ₹1.77 crore, the lift features a 24-meter-high tower and a 24-meter-long footbridge, with a width of 1.5 meters, designed to accommodate up to eight passengers at once. Tickets for the ride are priced at a modest ₹10. The Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RTDC) will operate and maintain the lift for the next five years, ensuring it remains a reliable mode of transport for both locals and tourists.

Minister Singh also shared the state government’s ongoing projects aimed at enhancing Shimla’s urban landscape. This includes a multi-story steel parking facility with escalators at Jakhu Temple, along with planned parking spaces at Vikas Nagar, SDA Complex, Auckland, and IGMC Cancer Hospital, designed to accommodate up to 2,000 vehicles. Singh mentioned that these upgrades were part of efforts to alleviate traffic congestion and improve the city’s overall infrastructure.

In addition, the government is planning a ₹1,600 crore ropeway system to connect various key locations in the city, further reducing traffic and supporting Shimla’s tourism sector. The underground ducting of utility cables from Chhota Shimla to Mall Road is also in the pipeline to streamline the city’s power lines, eliminating the tangled mess of overhead wires.

Shimla’s Municipal Corporation Mayor, Surendra Chauhan, highlighted additional complementary projects, including lifts connecting Lakkar Bazaar to Ridge and Auckland to Lakkar Bazaar. Other planned initiatives include the creation of a Waste to Wonder Park at Lakkar Bazaar and the construction of a mini-mall at Sabzi Mandi to house Municipal Corporation offices, senior citizen facilities, and shops that promote Himachal Pradesh’s culture.

Minister Singh emphasized the importance of maintaining Shimla’s charm while modernizing its infrastructure, urging residents and stakeholders to contribute to keeping the city clean and beautiful. He described the lift as a significant step toward making Shimla more accessible and modern, enhancing both the daily experience of its residents and the overall appeal of the city for visitors.

This lift marks a pivotal move in Shimla’s efforts to balance heritage preservation with modern development, aiming to improve mobility and enrich the city’s tourism experience.