Shimla’s Mall road, town hall to get facelift

Shimla’s iconic street the Mall road and the British era Town Hall are all set to get a facelift over the next couple of years with funds from the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

“Rs 30 crore will be spent to restore the Mall road and the Town hall which currently houses the municipal corporation,” state chief minister Virbhadra Singh said while laying the foundation stone of the beautification project .

The Town Hall overlooks the Mall road and was built in 1908 when Shimla was the summer capital of colonial British India .

Also areas near CTO , the Scandal Point , space in front of the Town Hall and three rain shelters will be rebuilt .

Restoring and re-surfacing of the adjoining Ridge with high density macadam bitument along with stone edging on both sides of the road.
“Constructing stone of V & U drains along all retaining walls .Stone edging on both sides of the roads besides cast iron benches with wooden planks, double side benches and railings will be built ,” director tourism department Mohan Chauhan said .
For the benefit of tourists who visit the Mall in large numbers every day descriptive signage of heritage buildings will be done.

“Conservation of the town hall building will be done without disturbing the outside structural design of the building ,” Chauhan explained .

The beautification drive will also include proposals for maintenance of gardens and parks near Town hall, Daulat Singh Park and Rani Jhansi Park.

Three escalators will be built to help people reach the Mall road.