Friday, June 23 2006 11:52 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Shimla: Selected roads of this popular resort town long barred for traffic may soon open for at least tiny, battery-operated cars to aid senior citizens.

The town's civic body has prepared a proposal to allow electric battery operated cars to ferry the old and needy on the roads currently being open only for pedestrians as well as VIP and emergency vehicles. The proposal is awaiting the state government's approval.

More than half the roads in this hill station are closed to vehicular traffic, often forcing the old and sick to walk on these roads.

Earlier, hand-pulled rickshaws had been plying on Shimla's traffic-restricted roads since the colonial days, but they were stopped some 25 years ago.

"If the state government allows us to operate these small, battery-run cars, we will put speed limits for such cars so that pedestrians are not disturbed," said Shimla mayor Sohan Lal.

"Besides, such cars could become a new attraction for the old and handicapped who are not able to negotiate hilly roads comfortably," said the mayor.

Many, however, oppose the proposal.

"The introduction of battery-operated cars will disturb the existing peaceful ambience of Shimla's traffic-free roads," said Birender Singh Malhans, who heads the Shimla chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH).



"Senior citizens do not seem to have any problem walking on Shimla's cool, forested roads, while ambulances are already allowed to carry the sick. In fact, even VIP vehicles should not be allowed at all on these roads," Malhans sources.

"This tradition had never been broken even during the colonial rule (when Shimla served as summer capital of India). The British viceroy used to walk or take a horse-driven carriage on these roads," he said.

Another green activist, Rajeshwar Singh Negi, said, "What is the guarantee that only the old and unfit will be ferried by these special cars? On the contrary, others will take these rides as a status symbol."