Shimla’s Famous Uphill Climb Is Getting A New Twist: A Funicular Ride To The Ridge

The uphill walk from Lakkar Bazaar to The Ridge is a familiar part of exploring Shimla. While the climb offers glimpses of the hill town's streets and colonial-era architecture, it can be particularly challenging for senior citizens and visitors with limited mobility. That journey could soon become considerably easier. Shimla is preparing to introduce a funicular trolley service connecting Lakkar Bazaar's old bus stand with The Ridge, giving tourists and residents an alternative to climbing the steep stretch on foot. The project is in its final stages, with the administration targeting November 30, 2026, for its launch.

A Funicular Ride To Connect Lakkar Bazaar With The Ridge

The proposed funicular service will connect the Lakkar Bazaar old bus stand area, located along Cart Road, with The Ridge, one of Shimla's most recognised public spaces. At present, visitors travelling between the two points have to negotiate a steep uphill stretch on foot.

The new transport facility is being developed to make this journey more accessible for tourists, local residents and elderly visitors. According to reports, the trolley is expected to accommodate around eight to 10 passengers at a time.

The project is being jointly developed by the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (HPTDC) and the Shimla Municipal Corporation at an estimated cost of INR 15.5 crore.

Trial runs and safety inspections are currently underway as construction approaches completion. Shimla Mayor Surender Chauhan has said that the facility will provide direct access to Mall Road and The Ridge, while also giving passengers an elevated view of the surrounding valleys.

A selfie point is also planned near the facility, allowing visitors to photograph the town and its landscape.

Lakkar Bazaar Redevelopment Includes New Shops And Bus Stand

The funicular is part of a larger redevelopment plan for the Lakkar Bazaar area. Alongside the transport facility, the existing bus stand is being renovated, with a new commercial complex coming up in the vicinity.

According to local reports, the redevelopment includes 18 new shops, of which 13 have already been completed, with work on two others nearing completion.

The new bus stand is expected to become operational after the redevelopment, with December 2026 being considered for shifting bus operations to the new premises.

The Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RTDC), which is overseeing several urban mobility projects in Himachal Pradesh, lists the Lakkar Bazaar bus stand-to-Ridge lift project as an ongoing project. Its official project listing puts the approved cost of the lift component at Rs 12.72 crore.

Note: The proposed funicular trolley is a relatively short-distance transport facility and should not be confused with Shimla's ambitious citywide aerial ropeway network.

The larger project was envisioned as a 13.79-km transport network with multiple stations connecting important parts of the hill town, including Tara Devi, Sanjauli, and other major locations. It was intended to ease traffic congestion and provide an alternative to road-based transport.

However, the Himachal Pradesh government has put this larger ropeway project on hold, citing the state's financial condition. The original tender was cancelled following a substantial escalation in the estimated project cost, which had reached approximately INR 2,980 crore.

For now, the Lakkar Bazaar-to-Ridge funicular is a separate, smaller initiative that could make one of Shimla's familiar uphill journeys easier. If it meets the November 30 deadline, visitors arriving in the town later this year may have a new way to reach The Ridge without making the entire climb on foot.

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