HRTC Tunnel in Shimla Beautified with Historic Depictions

Shimla, January 12, 2025:
The beautification of the tunnel beneath the old Shimla bus stand and the Himachal Road Transport Corporation (HRTC) headquarters has been completed, showcasing the rich history of HRTC through vibrant artwork. From a 1958 bus model to modern electric buses, the tunnel now narrates HRTC’s journey through colorful paintings.

The design was conceptualized by Him Chatterjee, while artist Sunil Kumar Suri from Una executed the artwork. Various models, including the 1958 Kullu-Manali bus, 1974 models, 2004 and 2008 Volvo buses, and 2016 electric buses, have been vividly depicted.

The project cost ₹19.28 lakh, with work commencing on November 15, 2024, and concluding on January 10, 2025. Sunil Suri noted the use of high-quality paints that will last 7–10 years, despite challenges posed by the busy tunnel’s traffic.

Managing Director Rohan Chand Thakur shared that this initiative commemorates HRTC’s 50-year milestone, marked on October 2, 2024. “We aimed to reflect HRTC’s legacy and passenger aspirations. The tunnel’s walls depict historic bus models on one side and passenger experiences on the other, using a Himachali-themed color palette,” he added.