Himachal mulls skyway to decongest Shimla

SHIMLA : Aiming to decongest roads in Shimla, Himachal Pradesh government is contemplating ropeway service as an alternate mode of transportation, chief minister Jai Ram Thakur informed the state assembly on Monday.

Replying to a question raised by Dehra legislator Ramesh Dhawala regarding the government’s plan to minimise traffic congestion in the state capital, Thakur said a committee headed by principal secretary, transport, had already been constituted to prepare ‘Shimla Mobility Plan’.

“Traffic congestion has increased in Shimla and the government is exploring ways to de-congest the same. It is a matter of concern as the number of vehicles plying daily on Shimla roads has increased to 1,65,878 compared to 66,617 in 2005,” the CM said. He said the number of registered vehicle in the city has risen to 77,997 till date from 31,228 in 2005. He also mentioned that the parking lots in Shimla remain underutilised.

“The government is open to suggestion from legislators to reduce vehicular snarl and resolve the traffic issue,” Thakur said. In addition to this, former HPCC chief Sukhwinder Singh Sukhu urged CM to construct traffic tunnels in Shimla.