Himdarshan Samachar

Shimla to Get Major Relief from Traffic and Water Woes, 10 Mega Projects Underway

Shimla: In a massive infrastructure push, the Himachal Pradesh government is working on 10 ambitious projects to ease life for the residents of Shimla and tourists visiting the city. These projects include flyovers, a tunnel to the IGMC hospital, 24x7 water supply, new multi-level parkings, elevators in hilly areas, and two mega ropeways. Some of these developments are expected to be operational by the end of this year.

Key Infrastructure Projects:

1. Flyovers at Vidhan Sabha and Khalini: Two flyovers worth ₹26.75 crore and ₹15.22 crore are under construction to ease traffic congestion from areas like Panthaghati and Vikasnagar.
2. New Commercial Complex at Sabzi Mandi: A ₹200 crore project will bring all municipal corporation services under one roof, along with a new parking facility.
3. 24x7 Water Supply: A ₹1,200 crore water supply project is in its final stages. It will lift water from the Sutlej River to provide round-the-clock water supply to around 2.5 lakh residents.
4. Four New Parking Complexes: IGMC, Old Bus Stand, SDA Complex, and Vikasnagar will soon have multi-storey parking facilities accommodating over 1,000 vehicles.
5. Public Lifts in Hilly Areas: Lifts at Lakkar Bazaar and Vikasnagar will help residents and elderly people navigate steep climbs more easily.
6. Double-Lane Bridge Near Lift: To ease traffic near the HP Tourism lift, an ₹8 crore double-lane bridge is being constructed.
7. Tunnel to IGMC: A tunnel from Totu to IGMC will improve emergency response and ease access to the hospital. Feasibility surveys are already underway.
8. Underground Cabling: To remove the eyesore of hanging wires, a ₹145 crore project is ongoing to underground electricity lines from Chhota Shimla to Oak Over.
9. 38-km Ropeway from Parwanoo to Shimla: This ₹6,800 crore ropeway will be the longest in India and second-longest in the world. It will ease traffic and reduce pollution without harming forests or mountains.
10. 13.79-km Ropeway from Taradevi to Shimla: Featuring 15 stations, this modern ropeway will shorten travel time to just 15 minutes, offering daily convenience and tourist attraction.