Shimla witnesses huge tourist influx

Tribune News Service

Shimla, December 24

It’s Christmas eve and Shimla is crowded with revellers. Every year, people from far-off places throng the city to celebrate the day.

But this time, the reason for a huge influx is not just Christmas, it’s the December 27 rally of the BJP government, which completes its two years in office.

The celebrations are to be held on The Ridge. Though officials claim that the rally will be smooth, they have still put in place a traffic control and management plan to save people from inconvenience. Efforts are being made to keep the Circular road free of bottlenecks.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the rally on December 27 and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is leaving no stone unturned to make the event a success.

More than 5,000 vehicles, including over 150 buses, tourist and private cars, are expected to hit the city roads.

Meanwhile, there was no traffic jam on the Cart road today. “The occupancy in hotels is almost full these days and the tourists rush is expected to rise on the weekend and due to the rally,” said Sanjay Sood, president, Shimla Hotel and Restaurants Association.

Urging the public to follow the traffic and parking plan, DC Amit Kashyap said, “We have put in place a traffic control management plan for all vehicles. The city has been divided into four sectors — Dhalli, The Ridge, Boileauganj-Chaura Maidan, Tuttikandi. Each sector will be overseen by a sub-divisional magistrate and assisted by police personnel.”

Kashyap said people coming from upper Shimla before 9 am will alight at Chalaunthi first and then Dhalli. Vehicles would be parked at the Dhalli Sabzi Mandi, Bhattakufar apple mandi and Sanjauli bypass.

Those coming from Solan and Sirmaur from the Tara Devi side before 9 am would alight between AG Chowk, Victory Tunnel, Winterfield, Lift and Bemloi. Buses would be parked on the Shimla bypass.

Visitors coming after 9 am would alight at the Old Barrier and Tuttikandi. Buses would be parked on the Shimla bypass. Other vehicles would be parked at the MC Tuttikandi parking, Shimla bypass, Winterfield, Kashyap said.

People coming from the Bilaspur-Mandi side from Totu will alight between AG Chowk, Victory Tunnel, Winterfield, Lift and Bemloi on the Cart road. Those coming after 9 am would alight at Tawi Morh, Tuttikandi and Old Barrier.

They would be taken by HRTC buses to the old bus stand, from where they would reach The Ridge, the venue for the rally, he added. The buses would be parked on the Mehli road, while small vehicles would be parked at Chaura Maidan, parking of Indian institute of Advanced Study, Pitterhoff and Cecil Road, Kashyap said.

“The SMC has also set up over 30 special public taps at various places and toilets,” said Pankaj Rai, Municipal Commissioner.

Efforts on to keep chaos at bay

• The BJP govt will hold a rally to celebrate completion of its two years on The Ridge on December 27.
• Though officials claim that the event will be smooth, a traffic control and management plan has been put in place to save people from inconvenience. 
• Efforts are being made to keep the Circular road free of bottlenecks.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah will address the rally on December 27 and Chief Minister Jai Ram Thakur is leaving no stone unturned to make the event a success.
• More than 5,000 vehicles, including over 150 buses, tourist and private cars, are expected to hit the city roads.