Pedestrians to get smooth passage under Shimla Smart City project

Subhash Rajta

Shimla, June 28

Under the Shimla Smart City Mission, a 17-km-long network of pedestrian paths has been constructed along various roads at a cost of Rs 72.83 crore and more such paths are in the pipeline. “The idea is to give people a safe and smooth passage to walk, especially to elderly and schoolchildren,” said Ajit Bhardwaj, General Manager, Smart City Mission.

Bhardwaj said the entire Circular Road would have a pedestrian path running along it. “Foundation stones have been laid for constructing these paths from Mehli to the ISBT. A pedestrian path from the Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel till the Dhalli market is also being built,” he said. “Besides, covered sheds will be constructed on these paths at various points to save the pedestrians from rain and sun. And wherever possible, a few benches will also be placed for people to sit and rest,” he said.

Once all these pedestrian paths are functional, city residents can heave a sigh of relief. Due to a massive increase in traffic over the years and the non-availability of pedestrian paths, walking on busy city roads has become quite unsafe. Many feel the pedestrian paths will encourage people to walk to nearby places instead of using their vehicles or taking a bus. “The SDA complex in Kasumpti is packed with government offices and there’s hardly any parking place. Once the Mehli-BCS-Vikasnagar-Khalini pedestrian path becomes functional, people from nearby places will prefer to walk to their offices rather than getting stuck in traffic jams,” said Rakesh Sharma, a former councillor from Panthaghati. “These pedestrian paths have the potential to change the way most people travel,” he said.

The pedestrian path from Sanjauli to Navbahar, where a school and a college is located, has provided a major relief to students and their parents. “Earlier, we had to accompany our children to the school because there was no pedestrian path and over-speeding was common on this stretch of the road. Following the construction of the pedestrian path last year, we have stopped accompanying them to school as we are not worried about their safety,” said Neelam Thakur, a resident of Sanjauli. “Also, a lot of people use these pedestrian paths for morning and evening walks,” she said.

Besides constructing new pedestrian paths, a few worn-out pedestrian paths have also been renovated. “The network of pedestrian paths across the city will make walking a safe and pleasant experience,” said Bhardwaj.

Foundation stone laid

The entire Circular Road will have a pedestrian path running along it. Foundation stones have been laid for constructing these paths from Mehli to the ISBT. A path from the Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel to Dhalli market is also being built. — Ajit Bhardwaj, GM, Smart City Mission