PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
To address potential disturbances and prevent traffic congestion, the Transport department has installed CCTV cameras for the first time at the major checkposts along the Char Dham Yatra route, the nodal officer for the Char Dham Yatra and regional transport officer (Administration) Dehradun division Sandeep Saini said. He informed that past experiences during the Yatra revealed that certain checkposts along the route often faced traffic congestion and sometimes problematic activities that disrupted the flow of travellers. In response to this, CCTV cameras have been set up at three checkposts on the Yatra route for the first time this year.
Saini said that there are a total of six checkposts along the Yatra route. However, based on past experiences where issues have arisen, CCTV cameras have been installed at three checkposts- Kuthal Gate, Brahampuri and Katapatthar. He said that the CCTV camera at the Brahampuri-Tapovan checkpost is particularly crucial as this area has witnessed traffic congestion in the past. To address this issue, road widening has been undertaken to facilitate vehicle checks. With the installation of CCTV cameras, it will be ensured that the relevant officials are monitoring the widened road areas effectively. Saini informed that he, along with the ARTOs, has access over the CCTV cameras at these checkposts
During this period, the officials have utilised CCTV access from their location to ensure that no traffic congestion occurs while inspecting vehicles along the Char Dham route. Additionally, they have been monitoring for any disruptive activities at the designated points. If any issues arise, the officials concerned who will be reviewing the CCTV footage will provide instructions to the personnel stationed at the check post. He also informed that disputes may occasionally occur between the officials at the check post and travellers; the presence of CCTV will help address this concern. Saini said that since the start of Char Dham Yatra, several days have passed and based on CCTV footage, directives regarding any observed incidents at the check post, including traffic jams, have been issued to the officials for resolution.
He also said that this year marks the initial phase of the CCTV camera implementation. If this year’s efforts prove successful and if any interventions or disruptions are observed at other checkpoints where cameras have not yet been installed, the department plans to install cameras at those locations for next year’s Char Dham Yatra, he said.
