Localisation of the 2030 Agenda and its Sustainable Development Goals in Shimla

Shimla, the capital of the hilly state of Himachal Pradesh, is located in the mountainous middle Himalayas and built over several hills and connecting ridges. It used to be the summer capital of India during the British regime and is popularly known as ‘Queen of Hills’. The city faces a myriad of urban challenges now. It was established for a population of 25,000 but now accommodates over 170,000 individuals. The ever-growing population, floating tourist population, and location has put a stress on the citizens and urban local body alike. Issues on traffic congestion, road safety, water scarcity, lack of public spaces etc. are common.

Municipal Corporation Shimla (MCS) is the urban local body responsible for governance and
administration of the city. It is responsible for implementation of many of the basic civic
amenities and implementation of national and state level programs.