PIONEER NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
The leader of opposition (LoP) in Vidhan Sabha, Yashpal Arya has said that the traffic jams in the important tourist destination of the State has become a serious problem and the government lacks any roadmap to solve it.
He said that one witness daily massive traffic jams at Kainchi Dham, Nainital and the locals and the tourists are facing problems due to them. The pressure of vehicles at Kainchi Dham is very high due to which traffic jams have become a norm. The Rainibagh- Bhimtal, Bhimtal- Bhowali, Bhowali- Kainchi, Jeolikot- Bhowali, Nainital- Bhowali and Almora- Kainchi roads are facing the issue of traffic jams. The increasing number of pilgrims at Kainchi Dham has also affected traffic on the roads leading to Almora, Pithoragarh and Bageshwar.
Arya said that due to traffic jams at Kainchi Dham and bad condition of roads the travel time to tourist places of Kumaon has doubled. The tourists are now hesitating to visit these tourist spots. Traffic jams near Kainchi on Haldwani national highway has affected the trade, transport and tourist flow in Almora, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh districts.
The LoP said that the children and patients are the worst sufferers of the massive traffic jams. He said that it is a known fact that the hospitals located in the mountainous areas are only referral centres and most of the patients from Alomora, Bageshwar, Ranikhet and Pithoragarg and referred to Haldwani and other hospitals located in plains. These patients have to bear the brunt of massive traffic jams in Kainchi Dhami. Arya said that the traffic jam is not only creating hindrance in transport it is also affecting the health of the people by polluting the air. The mental health of people is also getting affected due to the jam at Kainchi Dham.
He said that the government has so far failed to find a solution for this problem. “It appears that development has got stuck in an administrative traffic jam. The government should not find an immediate solution but should also prepare a long term plan to deal with the issue,’’ he said.
It is pertinent to mention here that apart from various areas of Kumaon, traffic jams have become routine in other popular destinations including Haridwar, Rishikesh and Dehradun.
