Getting up to The Ridge in Shimla is a steep walk. Soon, visitors and locals will have another way to make that climb. A funicular rail ride is coming up between the Lakkar Bazaar Old Bus Stand area and the iconic The Ridge. The facility is expected to be ready by November 30.
The project is being developed at an estimated cost of Rs 15.5 crore. It is a joint effort by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and Shimla Municipal Corporation (MC). The ride is expected to accommodate around 8 to 10 people at a time.
Shimla Funicular Project Nears Completion
The project is in its final stage. At present, trial runs and safety inspections of the facility are underway. Once ready, the funicular will give people a suitable alternative to walking up the steep stretch to reach The Ridge.
Mayor Surinder Chauhan spoke about the plan behind the project. "The primary objective of introducing the funicular..." he said, explaining the thinking behind the new ride.
What the Lakkar Bazaar to Ridge Ride Means for Visitors
The funicular connects two busy points in Shimla. Lakkar Bazaar is a well-known market area, and The Ridge is one of the city's most visited spots. For people who find the climb tiring, the ride offers a relaxing option.
- The ride runs between the Lakkar Bazaar Old Bus Stand area and The Ridge
- It is being built at an estimated cost of Rs 15.5 crore
- HPTDC and Shimla Municipal Corporation are developing it together
- Each trip can carry around 8 to 10 people
- Trial runs and safety inspections are currently underway
Our Take: A Small Ride With Real Value for Shimla
In our view, this is a practical project. Shimla's steep streets are hard on elderly visitors, families with children, and anyone carrying luggage. A funicular that carries 8 to 10 people at a time will not solve every access problem in the city, but it directly addresses one of the toughest stretches — the climb to The Ridge.
To put it plainly, the real test will be safety and reliability. Trial runs and inspections are a good sign that the agencies are not rushing the launch. The cost of Rs 15.5 crore is modest for a tourism project of this kind, and the joint effort between HPTDC and the Municipal Corporation makes sense since the ride serves both tourism and local movement.
What readers should watch for is whether the November 30 target holds and whether the ride stays affordable and well-maintained after launch. If it does, this funicular could become a small but useful part of the Shimla experience — one that saves people a hard climb and gives them a new view of the city along the way.