PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Nainital
In response to the surging throngs of devotees and traffic jams at Kainchi Dham during the weekend, the police have banned entry of taxis and two-wheeled vehicles into the shrine area on Saturdays and Sundays. “This arrangement will be in effect every Saturday and Sunday to provide relief from traffic jams in the Bhowali, Bhimtal and Kainchi areas,” the Nainital senior superintendent of police
Manjunath TC said.
“Heavy vehicles coming to Haldwani from Almora and Ranikhet will be diverted via Kwarab and Khairna and sent via Ramgarh and Mukteshwar routes. Essential service heavy vehicles heading towards the mountainous regions from Haldwani will continue to travel via their designated routes. Other heavy vehicles may be stopped at the Bhowali Masjid intersection or diverted via alternative routes depending on traffic congestion,” he added.
The administration has also made special parking arrangements for tourists arriving from other states and districts. Private vehicles traveling to Kainchi Dham via the Bhimtal route will be parked at the Bhimtal Vikas Bhawan parking lot. From there, pilgrims will be transported to Bhowali and Kainchi Dham via a shuttle service. Similarly, vehicles of tourists arriving via the Nainital-Gethia route will be parked at the Bhowali Sanatorium parking lot and shuttle services will operate from there.
He appealed to all tourists, vehicle owners and the people to follow the prescribed traffic plan during the trip, to maintain smooth traffic flow and avoid unnecessary inconvenience.
