Opinion: A Plan For Bursting Shimla Draws Huge Objections
NDTV
Shimla, the queen of hills, was once the summer capital of the British. It was originally planned for a population of 25,000. The British planned Shimla strictly in consonance with its contours and levels of topography. Cut to the present - unplanned and indiscriminate development in the core, non-core, green and rural areas within the Shimla planning area has given rise to serious environmental and ecological concerns.
The population of Shimla is around 2.41 lakh, as of Census 2011, besides a floating population of some 70,000 tourists per day during peak season. The hill station lacks a public transport system, parking space and pedestrian infrastructure.
The new draft Shimla Development Plan (SDP) was commissioned to ensure Shimla's sustainable growth and expansion, keeping in mind its ecological and topographical challenges. The SDP will supersede the Interim 1979 plan, which guided development work in the Shimla Municipal area. The new plan includes areas around Shimla such as Kufri, Shoghi and Ghanahatti special areas and additional villages.
