Saturday, 18 April 2026 | Paritosh Kimothi | Dehradun
The Delhi-Dehradun expressway is formally open after much anticipation. There is much focus on the vehicular traffic and crowding that it will cause in Dehradun and other parts of the State. However, one aspect of the traffic is being ignored. Traffic is not limited to vehicles and humans but also includes what humans carry. The establishment may not acknowledge it as it is running a formal campaign against it. Along with the rise in vehicles and humans, one would be naïve to think that the contraband trafficking will not increase too. No checks, no stops on an expressway which is still incomplete though the toll collection may be up to date- what more could a trafficker ask for? The synthetics may flood into Uttarakhand while herbal products may be trafficked out in increasing quantities. One will abstain from dwelling upon the other types of trafficking that might also gain a boost.
Due to its environment and the organic culture, now remaining in some rural places, Uttarakhand is an ideal place where the daily routine makes one fitter than going to a gymnasium while also getting one naturally high without external aids. In the old days, cannabis and the occasional swig apart from traditional versions of tobacco smoked more often, were all that some of the mountain folks had to get a kick. However, as habits changed, IMFL became a regular feature in routine life and on special occasions. The government exploited this and has made it a point to encourage an irresponsible drinking culture to boost revenue. The police frequently undertake operations against those drinking in public places and in cars. Factually, most persons will not be able to drink even water in the licensed canteens situated along licensed liquor shops. Drinking in a bar or pub will cost twice or thrice sans the ambience one may want. So, the government actually creates a situation where it actively enables overpriced sale of liquor and makes it costlier for consumers to drink responsibly, then penalises them at times for doing otherwise. Same is the scene with tobacco. Cigarette packs are being sold at about Rs 15 above the printed price for some months now- a blatant crime, which the government is aware of and conveniently ignoring. According to the WHO, tobacco is the biggest cause of cancer in the world. Does anyone remember what happened when the court last reminded the tobacco companies and the government to follow the law which stipulated that the companies should display the tar content in cigeratte packets? Such things are meant to be forgotten. When it comes to hard drugs, the situation is much worse. For years, hard drugs like smack are being smuggled from neighbouring Uttar Pradesh and the police are content nabbing peddlers. Some years ago, a woman in a UP town became notorious after most peddlers caught with smack used to name her as their source. While talking to folks from the intelligence network, one joked about the “aunty” thriving while petty peddlers were being caught with paltry quantities. Within a couple of months, the woman was arrested in Kotdwar reportedly smuggling a decent quantity of contraband. A wholesaler travelling to another town to supply is usually unheard of but then someone had to be arrested and action had to be displayed. Anyway, the aunty’s arrest made little or no difference to the trafficking of smack. There are many in the business and as veteran police officers and those who have worked in the establishment have said repeatedly, these trades continue with the support of those in office.
At a time when Uttarakhand is already struggling with vehicular traffic and substance abuse, will the opening of the Delhi-Dehradun expressway result only in an increase in the vehicular traffic? The expressway is not the villain, it may be just another factor in the bigger picture. The reality is that the establishment and people in Uttarakhand have consistently failed to capitalise on the very environmental wealth they boast about. The greenery and nature that make one naturally high, providing healthful options to people, are being decimated consistently. Concrete and slums are replacing jungles and green patches. Instead of working hard and becoming happy amidst nature, when one has to live surrounded by concrete, noise and pollution, it is easier for pushers to market contrabands which are marketed as a shortcut to happiness. It is in the slums and dirty places where folks abuse smack, alcohol and other drugs more than in places where nature is still influential. Those in affluent surroundings tend to take costlier substances. The establishment is aware but appears to be acting complacent now for varied reasons. However, as we move ahead on the path of development, there are some things which we can ignore only to our detriment.
