Shimla- Apart from proposing a first flyover in capital city, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu has announced a comprehensive plan to decongest the Circular Road in Shimla City and enhance tourism in the region.
With an estimated cost of Rs. 100 crore, the State Government aims to improve infrastructure and provide hassle-free holidays for visitors.
The need of flyover is felt near the HPTDC Lift on the Cart Road as it has emerged as a major hotspot of traffic bottleneck in the city.
The successive governments and Shimla Municipal corporation did not pay any heed to design Parking Complex at this hotspot as per the needs of tourist traffic flow. 
The space at this hot spot that could have been allotted for use for thousands of buses and tourist vehicles here was gobbled up the Parking Complex that is being used for commercial purpose.
This lies at the traffic junction of High Court, Parking Complex and Cart Road and pedestrians paths leading to Congress Bhawan, The Mall and High Court.
It is the busiest spot as thousands of tourists vehicles enter and come out from the Parking here, causing gridlock daily.
There is no proper bus stopover at the Lift. There is chaos as the fruit sellers and taxi- walas add to congestion daily. It is at this point that Flyover is being planned to ease up the traffic mess.
There was also a proposal to construct elevated pedestrian cross at the HPTDC Lift to ensure safety of the pedestrians going to the Lift, but it has yet to see the light of the day.
If one goes by Chief Minister offical-speak Rs. 77 crore will be utilized for land acquisition and structures on private land, while Rs. 20 crore has been set for the development and widening of the Circular road that is a major lifeline, which remains chocked in gridlock mainly in peak summer tourist season.
He said Rs. 3.50 crore will be allocated for the construction of a flyover from Metropole to High Court Junction.
Highlighting the importance of facilitating tourists visiting Shimla, Chief Minister Sukhu has directed the Public Works Department to expedite the work and ensure its timely completion. The department has been instructed to conduct a survey and identify bottlenecks to prepare a Detailed Project Report.
To address the parking issue, parking slots will be created in Shimla city. The State Government has already released Rs. 97 crore for this purpose and is ready to provide additional funds if required.
In a bid to promote lesser-known tourist destinations, the government is also focusing on the development of infrastructure in Kangra district. Plans are underway to spend approximately Rs. 3000 crore to boost tourism in the area, with Kangra Valley set to be declared the 'Tourism Capital' of the State.
Chief Minister Sukhu highlighted the pivotal role of tourism in the state's economy and expressed the government's commitment to increase tourist influx. By May 2023, approximately 72 lakh tourists had already visited the state, and the government aims to raise this number to five crore in the next five years. To achieve this goal, improving infrastructure and ensuring an enjoyable journey for tourists is crucial.
Moreover, the State Government is planning to formulate a new Tourism Policy that will further support and enhance the tourism sector.
This initiative by the Himachal Pradesh Government is expected to boost tourism, decongest traffic, and create an environment conducive to the growth of the tourism industry in Shimla and surrounding areas.
