Under the Shimla Smart City Mission, the government has constructed 17-km-long network of pedestrian paths along various roads at a cost of INR 72.83 crore, with more such paths in the pipeline. The project aims to make walking on busy city roads safer by providing dedicated walkways to pedestrians.
The Circular Road in Shimla will have a pedestrian path running along its entire length. Construction work has already begun on the pedestrian path from Mehli to ISBT, and a path from Sanjauli-Dhalli tunnel to Dhalli market is also being built. Covered sheds will be constructed at various points along these paths to provide protection from rain and sun, and benches will be placed where possible for people to rest.
Once all the pedestrian paths are functional, city residents can feel safer while walking on busy roads. The lack of pedestrian paths and massive increase in traffic over the years has made walking on city roads quite unsafe. The availability of pedestrian paths is expected to encourage people to walk to nearby places instead of using vehicles or public transport.
The pedestrian path from Sanjauli to Navbahar, which is home to a school and college, has provided a major relief to students and their parents. Prior to the construction of the pedestrian path, parents had to accompany their children to school because there was no safe way for them to walk. The pedestrian path has made it possible for children to walk safely to school, and parents no longer have to worry about their safety.
