The month of June simply sailed by for us. Happily, there were none of the water woes that plagued Shimla last year. A major milestone was achieved in 2026 when the Himachal Pradesh Government successfully completed the final testing of the ambitious Rs 600-crore Sutlej River Bulk Water Supply Project. Water from the Sutlej has now reached the Sanjauli reservoir, augmenting the city’s supply by an additional 42–67 MLD. This landmark project promises a sustainable 24×7 water supply and may well consign Shimla’s recurring summer water shortages to history.
Another pleasant surprise was the weather. June, which is usually synonymous with an unforgiving heat wave, was far kinder this year. Intermittent showers kept temperatures in check, making the days delightfully pleasant and offering welcome relief from the summer heat.
The one disappointment, however, was the cherry season. The much-awaited bumper crop that we eagerly look forward to every June failed to materialise. Cherries were in short supply, and prices reflected their scarcity. The ordinary boxes that once sold for Rs 200–250 were now priced between Rs 500 and Rs 600, while the premium fruit commanded Rs 700 and above.
Nature, though, has a wonderful way of compensating. The modest cherry harvest was more than made up for by an exceptional crop of luscious Santa Rosa plums and magnificent peaches. The peaches were almost the size of apples, and with every bite, their sweet, fragrant juice trickled down your chin—a true taste of summer. The photograph says it all.
The traffic snarls this June were nothing short of exasperating. With the holiday season at its peak and the scorching heat driving people to the hills, it seemed as though the entire world had descended upon Shimla.
A journey from Mashobra to Shimla—a distance of barely 12 kilometres—could take anywhere between two and three hours. Likewise, the 100-kilometre drive from Shimla to Chandigarh, which ordinarily takes three to four hours, often stretched to six or even seven hours.
The problem is compounded by the ever-increasing number of vehicles owned by local residents, many of whom have no designated parking spaces. The narrow roads of Mashobra are lined with cars parked along one side, making it extremely difficult for vehicles to pass and leaving little room for safe manoeuvring.
The administration will have to take firm and imaginative measures to address this growing menace before it becomes unmanageable. Perhaps it is time to consider declaring certain stretches of Mashobra vehicle-free, on the lines of several picturesque villages in Switzerland, where restricting private vehicles has helped preserve both the environment and the quality of life for residents and visitors alike.
Life at Garden Resort continued at its leisurely best. We savoured our daily walks, admired breathtaking sunsets, and were occasionally rewarded with the magical sight of rainbows arching across the Himalayan sky. June may have slipped by quietly, but it left us with countless moments to cherish.
All photographs by the author
Poonam Kirpal is a Post Graduate in Child Development from Delhi University. Essentially associated with academics at the school and college level, she has been in touch with the young and the old at a personal and professional level. A freelance counsellor, she has three books to her credit: ‘Fast Forward’, ‘Saccharine and a Lot of Spice’, ‘Amma’ and ‘Ma + Ma = Grandma’. You can read her blog at www.midlifeuphoria.blogspot.in
