Shimla’s Overhead Cable Chaos to End: Rs 146 Crore Underground Utility Ducts Project Underway
Shimla, March 7 – The days of crisscrossing overhead wires, exposed pipes, and frequent road diggings in Shimla may soon be a thing of the past.
When you walk on pedestrian paths and streets, even around The Mall and in places like New Shimla BCS the chaotic jungle of overhead cables present a jarring scene and are eye sores.
They provide the easy access to the monkes who daily play their acrobatics while leaping from house to house in the streets.
A Rs 146.34 crore underground utility duct project is in progress, aimed at streamlining the city’s infrastructure and restoring its old charm.
Chairing a review meeting with the Public Works Department, Chief Minister Thakur Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu stressed that the project, covering areas from Chhota Shimla to Willy Park, must be completed within the stipulated timeframe.
He highlighted that this initiative would not only improve the city’s aesthetics but also ensure uninterrupted 24x7 power supply, particularly during snowfall and harsh weather.
For years, Shimla’s skyline has been cluttered with tangled electricity wires and fiber cables, while roads have suffered repeated excavation for water pipelines and repairs.
The new project aims to end this cycle, with all essential services—including water pipelines, electrical lines, and fiber cables—being laid in a common underground duct.
But Will it cover the Portion, VIP areas or the entire city and its suburbs? Will orher private cables of service providers will be put it into it? No one has clues.
The Chief Minister also directed officials to align the project with the 'Green Himachal' vision, ensuring minimal inconvenience to residents during execution.
Shimla, a prime tourist destination, has long struggled with infrastructure challenges.
While the city’s charm remains undeniable, the messy web of overhead wires and frequent road digging has been an eyesore and a major inconvenience.
This initiative, if executed efficiently, could liberate the city’s skies and bring it at par with modern hill stations worldwide.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary K.K. Pant, Principal Secretary Devesh Kumar, Secretary to the CM Rakesh Kanwar, and senior officials from the Public Works Department.
Now, all eyes are on the authorities to ensure that this much-needed transformation is not just a promise, but a reality.