SHIMLA: Shimla residents can now hope to get a new transportation system in the near future with Global Energy Basil (GBL) of Germany, a partner of European Union, showing keen interest in Rs 3,000cr comprehensive mobility plan prepared by Shimla municipal corporation. Having shortlisted Shimla for funding purpose, GBL has invited Shimla municipal corporation for presentation in January.
Shimla town faces a serious problem of traffic congestion due to peculiar geography and age-old construction. The road infrastructure was created during the British rule to cater to the needs of the then population, and little progress has been made till now. With the passage of time, increase in population and inflow of tourists further increased the problems.
To decongest Shimla, Himachal Pradesh government has decided to form satellite towns on the outskirts to save original character of the city which otherwise is bursting at seams with over-population and over-construction. Three satellite towns have been proposed at Vaknaghat on Shimla-Chandigarh highway, Fagu on Shimla-Rampur highway and Ghandal in-between Ghanahatti and Shalaghat on Shimla-Bilaspur highway.
If GBL agrees to fund the comprehensive mobility plan of Shimla, the city would get relief from traffic congestion and pollution. Sources said that GBL has already funded around 40 such projects in other parts of the world, including Beijing, Kampala and Islamabad.
Comprehensive mobility plan submitted to Global Energy Basil has provision of regulating 48,000 vehicles in the city in a planned manner. Submitted plan has the provision for ropeways at the cost of $623 million and tunnels estimated at $63 million, sources said.
Confirming the development, municipal commissioner Dr M P Sood said that acceptance of proposal by GBL is a big success. "For the first time, a mega project has been planned for Shimla and in January, a presentation would be made to GBL during its annual convention," he said.
Sood said that after Kochin, Shimla is second city in India where GBL has shown interest to fund the project. "The project envisages cable ropeways, mono rail, widening of existing corridors and construction of escalators," he said.
Shimla takes first step towards modern transportation
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Shimla takes first step towards modern transportation
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Shimla takes first step towards modern transportation
