The high court has taken a serious view of the shopkeepers who not only have encroached upon the streets but also have covered the drains that lead to blockades.

The court has also requested the citizens to bring the encroachments to its notice and the court will take action on the basis of complaint.

A division bench of Justice Deepak Gupta and Justice Surinder Singh observed: 'We had in our earlier orders noted that the shopkeepers are willing to pay small fine for encroaching road and the time has come to ensure penalties are levied upon them, such as penal provision like being sent to jail or cancelling of the licence to run a shop.'

The 'Queen of Hills', as Shimla was fondly called by the British, is a picture of fallen glory, inflicted with the malaise of overpopulation, deteriorating civic amenities and haphazard construction.

The Mall, which was once a 'British only' street meant for strolling on, now resembles a concrete jungle.