Munish Sood
Mandi
A vehicle carrying Himachal Pradesh Public Works Minister Vikramaditya Singh was challaned in Shimla on Monday amid an ongoing protest by lawyers against the city’s sealed road restrictions, highlighting growing tensions over the controversial traffic regulation system.
The vehicle, in which former Himachal Pradesh Congress president and Mandi MP Pratibha Singh was also travelling, was fined ₹1,500 near Shilly Chowk for allegedly using a sealed road without the required permission. According to reports, vehicles belonging to SDM Oshin Sharma and a senior police officer of DIG rank were also challaned during the enforcement drive.
The incident unfolded against the backdrop of a major demonstration by members of the legal fraternity, who have been protesting the sealed road policy in the state capital. Several roads in Shimla are designated as sealed roads, restricting vehicular movement unless specific permits are obtained. Lawyers argue that the restrictions have created unnecessary inconvenience and have long demanded a review of the system.
Escalating their agitation, advocates marched from Oak Over to the State Secretariat and staged a sit-in outside the complex, demanding direct talks with Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu. Protesters also blocked traffic near the Secretariat, leading to a tense standoff with authorities and causing disruption in the area.
The protest witnessed heated exchanges at several points, prompting the deployment of additional police personnel to maintain law and order. During the demonstrations, advocates reportedly pressed authorities to ensure uniform enforcement of traffic regulations, irrespective of a person’s official status.
The challaning of the minister’s vehicle quickly drew public attention, with many viewing it as a rare instance of traffic rules being enforced against VIP vehicles amid heightened public scrutiny. The development has further intensified the debate over Shimla’s sealed road policy, VIP exemptions, and the broader concerns raised by the legal community regarding access and mobility in the hill town.
What began as a protest over traffic restrictions has now evolved into a larger discussion on governance, administrative accountability, and equal application of the law in Himachal Pradesh’s capital.
