Come 2025, key Shimla Smart City projects to see light of day

As the year draws to a close, multiple high-profile projects under the Shimla Smart City Project, which were originally expected to be completed this year, have faced significant delays. These projects are now anticipated to be operational by 2025.

Among the most-awaited developments is the Khalini-Talland flyover, a project valued at Rs 17.97 crore. Initially set to see construction from December, the flyover project, which aims to ease traffic congestion in Khalini, will now kick off in 2025. The flyover is designed to alleviate frequent traffic jams by allowing vehicles bound for BCS and Talland to bypass the congested Khalini road, ultimately reducing travel time and easing traffic flow.

The project was first slated for January 2021 but faced delays due to revisions in technical designs and the need for further inspections. Despite the completion of a five-meter road widening at Khalini Chowk by CPWD, further setbacks pushed the expected start date to December. The project, however, has been delayed once again and is now slated to commence in 2025.

Similarly, another key infrastructure project, a 220-m flyover near the Himachal Pradesh Legislative Assembly, valued at Rs 33 crore, has also been delayed. The project, which was expected to be completed this year, is now projected to finish in 2025.

Additionally, construction is underway for several multi-storeyed parking lots near Indira Gandhi Medical College (IGMC), Auckland Tunnel, and the SDA complex in Kasumpti. These parking facilities were also supposed to be completed this year but are now expected to open in 2025.

Gopal Chand, an official from Shimla Smart City Limited, shared an update on the project’s status, stating that most of the projects planned under the Smart City initiative have been completed, though a few are still under execution. He confirmed that some of the remaining projects are in their final phases and expected to be completed next year.

Shimla, selected as a Smart City in 2017 under the third round of the Smart City Mission, has been working towards implementing these ambitious projects. The execution of these projects is being managed by Shimla Smart City Limited, a state government company, with funding provided by both the Central and state governments.

While delays have caused some inconvenience, the Smart City Project continues to offer the promise of transforming Shimla into a more modern, efficient and accessible urban space in the coming years.