Shimla, October 13: A joint group of social organisations and NGOs has urged the Shimla district administration to introduce effective road safety measures at accident-prone locations, particularly near the 103 Tunnel junction and Lalpani Chowk, to protect pedestrians, schoolchildren and commuters.
A joint memorandum was submitted to the Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order), Shimla, seeking speed breakers, warning signs, speed-limit boards and safe pedestrian crossings at vulnerable road junctions.
Gaurav Sharma, former councillor of the Shimla Municipal Corporation (SMC), said the city's hilly terrain, growing vehicular traffic and road junctions connecting residential areas with major roads had heightened safety concerns.
“Shimla is a densely populated hill city where a large number of vehicles move through narrow roads and busy junctions every day. Preventive measures at accident-prone locations are essential to protect pedestrians, senior citizens and schoolchildren,” Sharma said.
He identified the junction near the 103 Tunnel, where roads connecting Nabha and Tutikandi meet the main road, as a priority area. The movement of schoolchildren and local residents, combined with vehicles travelling at high speeds, creates a potential risk of accidents, he said.
Sharma called for speed breakers wherever technically appropriate and permissible under road safety standards, along with prominent warning signs, speed-limit boards and clearly marked pedestrian crossings.
He also highlighted safety concerns at Lalpani Chowk, where roads connecting Ramnagar and Fagli merge with the National Highway. He urged the authorities to assess traffic conditions at the junction and introduce suitable speed-control and traffic-management measures.
“The administration should constitute a joint inspection team comprising officials from the Public Works Department, traffic police and the National Highways authorities. The team should assess these locations and recommend technically sound measures without delay,” Sharma said.
He further sought enhanced traffic police deployment near the 103 Tunnel during school opening and closing hours, stressing that the safety of children crossing or entering the main road must receive priority.
The memorandum also called for identifying other accident-prone locations across Shimla and implementing appropriate safety measures within a time-bound framework.
“Road safety is directly linked to the protection of human lives. Timely intervention by the administration can prevent avoidable accidents. The authorities should act before a tragedy occurs, rather than waiting for an accident to expose the risks,” Sharma said.
The joint memorandum was supported by several social organisations and NGOs, including Pine Thorn, Abhivibha, Maa Naina Devi Sabha and Globe International, along with other associated groups.
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