Preserving Shimla's 'Umbrella & Jacket' Culture: HP High Court Expands PIL to Tackle Illegal Parking on Sealed Roads, Seeks Reports - 2025-09-15

HP High Court Intervenes to Save Shimla’s Pedestrian Charm, Cracks Down on Illegal Parking on Sealed Roads

Shimla – Taking serious note of the deteriorating civic conditions and illegal parking encroaching upon pedestrian pathways, the Himachal Pradesh High Court has expanded the scope of a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to address the rampant misuse of Shimla's iconic sealed and restricted roads, including the Mall Road.

The Bench, led by Mr. Justice, J, expressed dismay that Shimla is "losing its touch and culture of walking with 'Umbrella and Jacket'," risking the loss of its unique charm. The court has directed top state officials to submit detailed status reports on the matter.

Case Overview

The court was initially hearing a PIL filed by Sambhav Bhasin (CWPIL No.85 of 2025), which highlighted poor hygiene, garbage dumping, and haphazard parking of two-wheelers and four-wheelers on the public road from ARTRAC to Ram Bazar. The petition, supported by photographs, depicted a "dismal state of affairs" where pedestrian pathways were blocked, leading to the accumulation of garbage.

Observing an apparent "lack of exercise of adequate powers by the Municipal Corporation," the court issued notice to the state and the civic body.

Court Expands PIL Scope

In a significant move, the High Court decided to widen the scope of the petition beyond the specific area mentioned, citing broader concerns about traffic violations across Shimla's heritage zones. The court observed:

• Mall Road Violations: Vehicles are being parked illegally on the restricted stretch of the Mall Road from Rock Sea Hotel to Willow Bank. The court clarified that even official drop-off passes do not grant permission for overnight parking.
• Misuse of Sealed Roads: The court was informed that a large number of passes have been issued for the sealed road from Shilli Chowk to Chhotta Shimla Chowk, making it difficult for pedestrians to move freely.

Protecting Shimla's Heritage

The judgment underscored the urgent need to restore Shimla's identity as a pedestrian-friendly town. The court drew a cautionary parallel with other hill stations, stating:

“Apparently, Shimla Town is losing its touch and culture of walking with ‘Umbrella and Jacket’ and it is being reduced to the same stage as Mussoorie where traffic is plying on sealed roads and, therefore, Old Shimla is losing its charm which needs to be restored.”

Directions and Final Order

To address these pressing issues, the High Court has impleaded the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP), Shimla District, as a respondent in the case. The court has issued the following directives:

• Status Report from Police: The Senior Superintendent of Police, Shimla, must file a status report detailing the enforcement actions taken against illegal parking on sealed and restricted roads.
• Report on Passes from Government: The Secretary (Home) to the Government of Himachal Pradesh is directed to file a status report providing comprehensive details on the number of sealed road passes issued, the criteria and cost for issuance, and the categories of individuals who have been granted these passes.

The court has scheduled the next hearing for October 10, 2025, when it will review the reports and decide the future course of action to reclaim Shimla's public spaces for pedestrians.