Dehradun roads crippled by school traffic chaos amid ineffective plans of authorities

Friday, 12 July 2024 | PURNIMA BISHT | DEHRADUN

As the schools reopen after the summer break in Dehradun which is a renowned educational hub in the country, the traffic situation has again started getting worse during peak hours. The city experiences a significant increase in traffic flow in the mornings and afternoons as school buses, private cars, motorcycles and public transport converge on the narrow, winding roads. This daily influx of vehicles leads to severe traffic congestion, testing the patience of commuters and posing challenges for the authorities. This condition intensifies during the time when school students go to schools in the morning and leave in the afternoon, particularly in the areas where schools do not allow parking within their premises, despite having ample space. Poor parking management can be observed outside several prestigious schools in Dehradun leading to traffic congestion on the nearby roads. This situation is evident at a private school adjacent to the Police headquarters, where both sides of the road are often occupied with poorly parked vehicles during peak hours, despite the school having sufficient parking space. Unfortunately, similar conditions can be observed in several other schools in the city. The traffic police initiated a campaign two years ago, warning schools of strict action if they did not allow parking within their premises for students’ parents and school drivers during peak hours. While some schools complied for a few weeks, the situation eventually returned to normal. It was reported that larger schools allegedly exerted political pressure on the police officials concerned, as children of high ranking officials and political leaders attend these schools. According to a senior police officer, some prominent schools even threatened officials who attempted to enforce proper parking regulations. This lack of cooperation from schools and the alleged influence of powerful individuals has hindered concrete and practical solutions to alleviate the traffic congestion caused by inefficient parking management. The senior superintendent of police, Ajai Singh recently stated that the traffic police have identified 21 prominent schools in cluster areas of the city where traffic is severely affected by the influx of students and vehicles. The police have proposed changes in school timings to minimise the crowd of students and vehicles during peak hours. They believe that it will improve the traffic situation on main roads. However, local residents believe that proper change can only occur if schools actively collaborate with authorities to minimise traffic congestion. Many parents also expressed their frustration with the situation. Deepa Singh, whose son attends a private school in Dehradun, said that the school does not allow vehicles inside its premises due to concerns about maintaining the aesthetic appeal of the building. This often leads to difficulties in finding proper parking, especially during examination periods. “Many parents who can afford to wait for their children stay inside their vehicles for two to three hours during examinations to ensure they can leave on time,” she added. Another mother, Priyanka Sharma said that schools do not care for parent’s concerns regarding parking that leads to traffic congestion and inconvenience for both parents and commuters. While a change in school timings may offer some relief, allowing parents to park within the school premises will significantly alleviate the traffic congestion, she said.