SHIMLA: A crowd gathered at Shimla’s Mall Road and Ridge after three foreign tourists from England drove an auto-rickshaw directly into the city’s designated no-vehicle zone, causing a stir among pedestrians and raising questions over security enforcement.
The British tourists entered the restricted heritage zone in an auto-rickshaw bearing a Kerala registration number (KL07DE2685). The vehicle, which featured Union Jack branding, quickly drew public attention.
As the auto-rickshaw neared the Ridge, triggering a commotion, on-duty Shimla police personnel intercepted it. During questioning, the tourists stated they were unaware that Mall Road and the Ridge are completely restricted for vehicles. Following the inquiry, the police issued a ₹1,500 challan (fine) to the tourist driving the vehicle.
The Mall Road and Ridge areas in Shimla are strictly off-limits to general vehicular traffic under the Shimla Road Users and Pedestrians (Public Safety and Convenience) Act, 2007. The regulation aims to preserve the city’s heritage, ensure pedestrian safety, and manage traffic flow. Fines for violating these rules were also increased recently.
Only authorized government or emergency vehicles are permitted to enter this zone under special permission, making the entry of the tourist vehicle a matter of concern.
Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh confirmed the incident, stating that the tourists’ auto-rickshaw had reached Mall Road. He noted that the police acted as soon as they received information and penalised the driver. A thorough investigation into the matter is currently underway, and further inquiry is being conducted.
