SHIMLA, JULY 11: An unusual sight on Shimla's iconic Mall Road left both residents and police surprised on Saturday when a Kerala-registered auto-rickshaw carrying three foreign tourists entered the sealed no-vehicle zone near Scandal Point.
The auto-rickshaw, adorned with a foreign flag, made its way onto the restricted stretch of the Mall Road, where the entry of all vehicles is prohibited.
The rare appearance of an auto-rickshaw in the hill town attracted the attention of passersby, as such vehicles are virtually unseen on Shimla's heritage promenade.
Police personnel on duty intercepted the vehicle near Scandal Point after noticing it on the sealed route. The driver was fined ₹1,500 for violating traffic restrictions and entering the no-entry zone.
As it turned out the foreigners were identified to be tourists from Britain and auto carring UK flag came as deja vu of the former Raj.
Time was when British, who ruled India from Shimla for over 110 years as Shimla was their summer capital, used to visit the Mall Road in human rickshaw, so called because it used to be pulled by two men from the front and two from behind.
According to police, the driver and the foreign tourists expressed ignorance about the prohibition, apologised for the violation, paid the fine on the spot, and turned the vehicle back.
The incident has once again highlighted concerns over enforcement of the sealed route on the Mall Road.
Despite being declared a vehicle-free zone, locals alleged that unauthorized entries continue to occur from time time due to ignorance or so, raising questions over the effectiveness of restrictions and monitoring in one of Shimla's busiest pedestrian paradise.
Locals are used to spotting the motorcade of VVIPs including ambulance and utility vehicle of MC ON The Mall from time to time as these are allowed.
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