States » NorthPosted at: Jun 13 2025 3:45PM


Shimla traders protest illegal stalls at Ridge, say city's sanity being spoiled

Shimla, June 13 (UNI) Local shopkeepers in Shimla have raised strong objections to the ongoing temporary vending market at the historic Ridge and adjoining Church and Padam Dev complexes, alleging that the city’s charm and commercial balance are being compromised under the guise of the Summer Festival.
The Shimla Vyapar Mandal, backed by urban MLA Harish Janartha, met Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu at the Secretariat on Friday, demanding immediate removal of the stalls. These stalls, reportedly operated by traders from outside Himachal Pradesh, have remained active for over 14 days, well beyond the officially held Summer Festival dates of June 1 to 5.
Vyapar Mandal president Harjeet Singh Monga said, “We are not opposing the Summer Festival, but turning the Ridge into a commercial vending zone with traders from outside the state is hurting local businesses. Despite two written complaints submitted to the Deputy Commissioner, no action has been taken. That’s why we had to approach the Chief Minister today.”
According to Monga, the CM assured the delegation that he has instructed the deputy commissioner to remove the stalls immediately.
General secretary Nitin further alleged that low-quality goods are being sold at these stalls without any regulatory oversight. “Local shopkeepers wait all year for the summer tourist season. Now their business is being snatched away by non-taxpaying vendors. The administration is allowing Ridge and Mall Road to turn into illegal vending zones, harming Shimla's image and local economy,” he said.
Traders are also concerned about the impact on the city's cleanliness and aesthetics, with historic public spaces being overtaken by temporary commercial setups, creating chaos and hygiene issues.
The protest signals growing resentment among local traders, who are demanding that the government safeguard the interests of tax-paying local businesses instead of encouraging unregulated vending in Shimla’s most iconic locations.
UNI ML PRS
Tags: #Shimla traders protest illegal stalls at Ridge# say city's sanity being spoiled
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