PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Locals and commuters in Dehradun have expressed concerns over the increased traffic congestion on the city’s major and internal roads during the Deepawali festivities. They attribute this surge to factors like increased enthusiasm for shopping due to GST reforms and the festive season, which have collectively exacerbated the traffic woes. Notably, the presence of vends being put up by both seasonal traders and shopkeepers on the roadsides has contributed to traffic bottlenecks on internal roads. Residents claimed that effective traffic management strategies should be implemented for both main and internal roads to mitigate these issues days before the festivities start, as the bulk of shopping and travelling happens before the festivals.
The Doon Valley Mahanagar Udyog Vyapar Mandal (DVMUVM) president Pankaj Masson said that this year has seen an increase in the number of shoppers in the market areas, which has contributed to heightened traffic both in the markets and on the roads. This uptick in footfalls is also attributed to the GST reforms that have encouraged more people to visit the market. To address the situation, a meeting was held recently between the Vyapar Mandal and the district administration. To help alleviate traffic congestion, several measures have been implemented, including designated temporary parking locations. Parking has been permitted at some sites from Dhanteras through the celebrations of Deepawali, he said.
Local resident Parvesh Panwar said that there has been a considerable rise in traffic this festive season compared to last year. He said that changes in GST have provided advantages to the public, prompting many to visit the market which has increased the traffic. Additionally, a greater number of people are frequenting market areas for their festive preparations. Panwar said that while a traffic management plan is in place, authorities should consider enhancing it in light of the growing population and other factors during the festive season.
Many other residents echoed similar concerns about the increased traffic congestion. Commuters too are facing various problems due to the situation. Shikha Negi stated that while it is typical for footfalls to rise on main roads during the festive season, there has been a noticeable increase this year. Moreover, the internal roads have also been impacted by the presence of stalls. She believes that the authorities must enhance their traffic management strategies for both the main and internal roads throughout the city.
