Police flayed for ‘faulty’ traffic management

Ajay Ramola

Tribune News Service

Mussoorie, June 26

The police have drawn a flak from residents and tourists for the “improper” implementation of its new traffic diversion plan.

According to the diversion plan, only those vehicles, which are bound for Yamunotri and Kempty, should be diverted from the Gajji bend through Hathipaon to reduce congestion. But people allege that even those who want to enter Mussoorie are also being diverted through the aforesaid route up to the Gandhi Chowk, thus making them cover an additional distance of 12 km. However, the police rubbish such claims.

Hugh Gantzer, senior citizen and environmentalist from Mussoorie, said there was no need of such a traffic plan in the town. “We should introduce the gate system once again. Earlier, the police used to manage traffic through that system under which the traffic flow was made one-way, just as in Badrinath,” he said.

Sub-Inspector (SI) SS Kohlia, who manages traffic, said around 30per cent of the traffic had been eased since the introduction of the diversion plan. “Only those vehicles heading towards Kempty and Char Dham Yatra in Yamunotri are being diverted through Hathipaon, the longer route. This is not applicable on those who visit Mussoorie as they can take the straight route,” he said.

Nitin Nagpal, a tourist from Fazilka, Punjab, claimed that he had to enter Mussoorie but the police at Gajji bend made him drive towards Hathipaon to reach Gandhi Chowk. “I was stuck in a traffic jam for more than two hours,” he added.

Sandeep Sahni, president of the Uttarakhand Hotel Association, said the state and the Central governments were to be blamed for the plight of hill stations like Mussoorie and Nainital. “The government earns a revenue of Rs 40-50 crore annually. Considering such a hefty contribution to the state coffers, the government should start investing in the town to ensure its all round development,” he said.

Besides, several hotels and guest houses have mushroomed in Mussoorie and Landour Cantonment. Some of them don’t have parking facility and water supply. Amid no parking facility, visitors park their vehicles haphazardly, making the traffic woes galore.