Shimla, October 13: A coalition of social organisations and non-governmental organisations (NGOs) has urged the Shimla district administration to strengthen road safety measures at accident-prone junctions across the city, seeking speed breakers and other traffic-calming measures at key locations, including the 103 Tunnel junction and Lalpani Chowk.
A joint memorandum was submitted to the Additional District Magistrate (Law and Order), Shimla, urging the administration to take immediate steps to prevent road accidents and ensure the safety of pedestrians, schoolchildren and local residents.
Gaurav Sharma, a BJP worker and social activist, said Shimla’s hilly terrain, dense population and growing vehicular movement made road safety a pressing concern, particularly at junctions where local roads merge with major roads and national highways.
Highlighting the risks near the 103 Tunnel, Sharma said the road junction connecting Nabha and Tutikandi witnessed regular movement of schoolchildren and commuters. Vehicles travelling at high speeds on the main road, combined with traffic entering from adjoining roads, increased the risk of accidents.
He called for scientifically designed speed breakers, warning signs, speed-limit boards and designated pedestrian crossings at the location. He also stressed the need for increased traffic police deployment during school opening and closing hours to protect children.
Lalpani Chowk was identified as another location requiring attention, given the convergence of connecting roads from Ramnagar and Fagli with the national highway. Sharma said the traffic situation at the junction warranted a technical assessment and appropriate speed-control and traffic-management measures.
The memorandum urged the administration to constitute a joint inspection team comprising officials from the Public Works Department (PWD), traffic police and the concerned National Highway authorities. The team should assess the identified locations and recommend speed breakers or alternative traffic-calming measures wherever technically appropriate and permitted under road safety standards.
The organisations also called for the identification of other accident-prone stretches across Shimla, installation of necessary safety infrastructure and time-bound directions to the departments concerned.
“Road safety is not merely a matter of traffic management; it is directly linked to the protection of human life,” Sharma said, emphasising that timely preventive measures could help avert potential accidents. He added that the safety of schoolchildren should remain a priority for all concerned departments.
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.The organisations expressed hope that the district administration would take up the matter on priority and coordinate with the relevant departments to ensure appropriate action.
