Shimla's new bill imposes heavy fines to curb traffic in heritage zones

The Himachal Pradesh Assembly passed a bill imposing strict penalties up to Rs 15,000 and hiking permit fees to restrict unauthorized vehicles in Shimla's pedestrian zones, aiming to enhance safety and restore the city's walking culture.

Himachal Pradesh Assembly on Wednesday passed the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Amendment Bill, 2026, introducing stringent penalties and higher permit fees to curb unauthorized vehicular movement in key pedestrian zones of the state capital. The Bill, tabled a day earlier by Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu, was passed by voice vote without opposition, as BJP members had staged a walkout earlier in the day. The legislation seeks to restore the traditional pedestrian culture of Shimla, often associated with walking along heritage stretches like the Mall Road by imposing steep fines on violators.

New Penalties for Unauthorized Vehicles

Under the new provisions, vehicles found plying on sealed roads without valid permits will face a penalty of Rs 15,000, while those entering restricted roads without permission will be fined Rs 5,000. Violations of permit conditions will attract a penalty of Rs 2,000.

The notified sealed and restricted stretches include prominent routes such as Navbahar to Ridge, Chhota Shimla to Mall and Ridge, IGMC to Ridge, AG Office to CTO, and Boulieganj via the Advance Study Centre to the Vidhan Sabha.

Permit Fee Hikes and Administrative Changes

The Bill also proposes a significant hike in permit fees. The annual fee for sealed road permits has been increased from Rs 2,500 to Rs 15,000, while the daily permit fee will rise from Rs 200 to Rs 1,000. The processing fee for permits has also been enhanced from Rs 100 to Rs 500.

New Permit Authority and On-the-Spot Fines

In an administrative change, the authority to issue permits for restricted roads will shift from the Deputy Commissioner to the Secretary (Home). The legislation further empowers authorised police personnel to compound offences on the spot by collecting up to 50 per cent of the prescribed penalty.

Restoring Shimla's Walking Culture

The move follows observations by the High Court of Himachal Pradesh, which, while hearing a public interest litigation on traffic and hygiene last year, had noted that Shimla was "losing its touch and culture of walking with umbrella and jacket" due to increasing vehicular movement on restricted roads. The court had also sought details of permits issued in such areas.

The government said the new law is aimed at reducing congestion, enhancing pedestrian safety, and preserving the heritage character of the hill town.

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