PIONEER NEWS SERVICE | Dehradun
As devotees gather for the start of Jhanda Mela on March 19, commuters in Dehradun are facing traffic jams and delays in reaching their destinations. The historic Jhanda Mela is an annual event in the city that attracts devotees from various States including Haryana, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab and Himachal Pradesh, apart from foreign nations. This year, the influx of devotees from these regions began shortly after the Holi celebrations. Commuters have voiced their concerns and urged the authorities to enhance traffic management during the period of the Jhanda Mela.
Commuter Anshu Tyagi said that the arrival of Sangats has led to increased traffic along the Railway Station Road, extending to Saharanpur Chowk and other related roads. He said that he usually arrives at his office by 10 AM, taking only 15 minutes for the commute. However, due to the traffic congestion in the areas around Saharanpur Road, he has found himself arriving late by half an hour.
“I have been stuck in traffic for the past 20 minutes. Every year, we see a rise in traffic congestion during this time. The authorities need to prioritise traffic management during the Jhanda Mela , as many commuters, including myself, suffer from delays or are forced to alter their routes,” commented another commuter, Sonali Mishra.
Additionally, another commuter Reena, voiced her concern about the traffic congestion that might have intensified in the vicinity of the Jhanda Mela event. She noted that while authorities strive to ensure smooth traffic flow during this time, their efforts often fall short. Instead of solely concentrating on traffic management strategies, they need to address the underlying causes of the congestion. She emphasised that devotees should walk along the side of the road, and taking this into account is essential for the authorities when creating a traffic plan.
