Shimla’s New Traffic Plan Aims to Ease Congestion and Improve Daily Commutes
Deputy Commissioner Anupam Kashyap has announced that a comprehensive new traffic plan will be implemented in Shimla within the next 15 days. This initiative aims to ease congestion in the city and provide a smoother experience for both residents and tourists. The plan will be developed with inputs from all stakeholders and enforced in a coordinated manner to ensure long-term traffic solutions.
The DC emphasized the critical role played by private bus operators in city traffic management and addressed concerns raised by the Union regarding the 2011 notification requiring buses traveling more than 40 km to operate from ISBT Tutikandi.
Traffic DSP Sandeep Sharma has been instructed to prepare a detailed CCTV-based report on vehicles entering Shimla from Upper Himachal, Lower Himachal, and Shoghi.
Currently, 106 private and 182 HRTC buses enter Shimla daily. The plan will also include options for designated time slots for commercial vehicle loading and unloading.
The meeting was attended by ADC Abhishek Verma, ADM Law and Order Pankaj Sharma, DRO Sanjeet Sharma, and other key officials and Union representatives.
In a step toward streamlining traffic in the city, the Shimla district administration has invited suggestions from the public to improve the current traffic scenario. Suggestions can be submitted in writing to the Deputy Commissioner’s office or via email at admlo-sml-hp@nic.in by May 10, 2025.
Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order) will lead a special committee to compile and assess the public feedback for inclusion in a comprehensive traffic report.
Citizens can share views on issues such as speed limits, red light points, one-way routes in narrow lanes, congestion hotspots, heavy vehicle movement, and school transport operations.
DC Anupam Kashyap highlighted that Shimla is facing increasing vehicular pressure, particularly through its four main entry routes – Shimla-Mandi (via Tutu-Baluganj), Chandigarh-Solan-Shoghi Road, Upper Shimla-Dhalli Road, and Karsog-Tattapani-Sunni Road.
With over 1.21 lakh vehicles registered under Shimla, and around 50,000 vehicles entering from other districts, nearly 5,000–6,000 vehicles commute daily, causing major bottlenecks at spots like Victory Tunnel, Lift, Sanjauli Chowk, Tara Hall, and others.
The administration hopes public participation will aid in formulating a practical and effective traffic plan.
