Trams may trundle on Shimla roads - Shimla Now

The Queen of Hills is a step closer to getting a light rail transit system (tramway), with the technical team of French Embassy on Thursday giving a green signal to its feasibility. The project mooted by Shimla Municipal Corporation is aimed at decongesting traffic in this tourist destination, would cost around Rs 75 crore per km and take three years to be completed.

The road infrastructure was created during the British rule according to existing needs and little progress has been made till now. With the passage of time, increase in population and inflow of tourists has made matters worse. The number of registered vehicles in Shimla has jumped from 16,450 in 1995 to 48,000 in 2011, of which 67% are private ones. The influx of tourists and outstation vehicles throughout the year is another concern. Once the light rail transit system is introduced in Shimla, the traffic situation is expected to improve.

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According to sources, the existing bus system is not reliable and the introduction of a light rail transit system would enhance the traffic movement by 15-20 km per hour, sources said. Around two weeks back, a French delegation had met Shimla mayor and Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh on the issue, after which the technical team arrived in town.

On Thursday, the team from French Embassy visited the proposed sites for the light rail transit system. The team visited Cart Road-Summer Hill and Chhota Shimla-Lift and Sanjauli-Ridge stretches as well as the Circular Road for pre-feasibility study where tramways are proposed.

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Source:http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/Trams-may-trundle-on-Shimla-roads/articleshow/25789600.cms