With the change in curfew relaxation time period, movement of people in Shimla city is expected to increase and under such circumstances, keeping social distancing among people will be a big challenge for the Shimla Police in times to come.
To deal with the situation, Shimla Police has made some changes in the entry level in the city. As from now onwards, the Ridge and Mall Road will also be made one way to effectively implement social distancing to avoid chances of Corona infection.
On Saturday, the Shimla Police implemented the one-way system on the Mall Road and Ridge on a trial basis as informed by SP Omapati Jamwal that it was an exercise so that after May 3, when lockdown is over, proper social distancing can be practiced. However, this is a massive change and might displease many as reactions were not welcoming when it was implemented in Sabzi Mandi area.
On Saturday one-way people were allowed to walk from Sher-e Punjab towards Scandal Point during the one-way system at Mall road. Road from Scandal Point to the Khadi Ashram, and towards Sher-e Punjab was completely banned.
For those going from Sher-e-Punjab to the Ridge, the slope leading to the APMC juice bar located at the ridge ground was opened. Apart from this, people were directed to use the road from Ride to Sher-e Punjab via Rani Jhansi Park. Permission from the APMC Juice Bar to the Lower Market via Ridge slope to the Lower Market via Stairway was given.
From Mall Road, through the Ganda Mal Hemraj shop, the path was opened for going to Lower Bazaar and Sabzi Mandi. Additionally, all roads between Mall Road and Ridge were closed. The path from Mall road to Lower Bazaar is open from Old Balaji’s Shop via Shiva temple.
Apart from this, the road leading from the Gaiety Theater to the Lower Bazaar via the Gupta ji Sweet Shop was closed. The blockade on the road of Mall Road and Ridge by the police caused a lot of trouble to the people living nearby. People said that most of the routes to the Middle Bazaar and Lower Bazaar have been closed; the police should also take care of the convenience of the people living in these areas.
The Shimla Police will implement this system after knowing the opinion of the people of the city. Suggestions will be taken from people about it on the Facebook page.
