Cobbled streets along the Mall Road, pathways with flagged stone bound in lime and mortar and flanked by buildings in Neo-Gothic and Tudor architecture are some of the features that Shimla lost as it struggled to catch up with development post-independence.

In its latest proposal submitted to the ADB, the Shimla Municipal Corporation has worked out a first-ever comprehensive plan to improve the Mall Road and strengthen the Ridge, along with improving the network of pathways that facilitate pedestrians.

A makeover for the Town Hall building that presently houses the Shimla Municipal Corporation office, Tourist Information Centre at Scandal Point and strengthening of the northward side of the Ridge are some proposals that are set to be taken up in the coming years to improve the look and feel of the town and give these old structures a new lease of life.

“The project is worth an estimated Rs 22.42 crore and the proposal has been submitted to the ADB through the state government,” said a senior Municipal official.

Harish Janartha, Shimla’s Deputy Mayor, said, “One of the conditions of the ADB grant coming our way is that facilities developed as such in Shimla would have to be made self-sustaining and a revolving fund would be created for their conservation. In the first year, the ADB would release money for hiring a consultant for preparing an outline of the full plan that is to be executed.”