By Sunil Sonker
Mussoorie, 30 Mar: Conditions have yet to return to normalcy on the Dehradun-Mussoorie Road—the primary route leading to the ‘Queen of the Hills’ —following the damage sustained by the main bridge during heavy rains last September.
Due to the mounting pressure on the Bailey bridge, which was installed as a temporary measure, long traffic jams are occurring daily, causing significant distress to both local residents and tourists alike. This situation is having a direct adverse impact on Mussoorie’s tourism industry. Given the gravity of the situation, the government has approved a proposal to construct a permanent bridge to replace the damaged structure. However, the construction of this permanent bridge is expected to take approximately one year to complete. Meanwhile, with the upcoming tourism season in mind, demands for the construction of an additional Bailey bridge have intensified.On Sunday, workers of the Indian National Congress, joined by local residents, gathered at the site to stage a symbolic protest. They argued that a single Bailey bridge is insufficient to handle the pressure of the ever-increasing traffic volume and demanded that the government implement an alternative arrangement immediately.Responding to the protest, BJP Mandal President Rajat Agarwal stated that the government is fully committed to addressing Mussoorie’s tourism and traffic management challenges. He informed media that the process for constructing the permanent bridge has already commenced; furthermore, Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi has issued directives to officials to construct an additional Bailey bridge.
According to Rajat Agarwal, a comprehensive blueprint has been finalised following meetings with officials of the Public Works Department and the Forest Department, and construction work on the second Bailey bridge is set to begin shortly.Launching a scathing attack on the Congress party regarding this issue, the BJP alleged that the opposition is engaging in unnecessary politics over a sensitive matter like the Bailey bridge. They termed the creation of AI-generated posters targeting Cabinet Minister Ganesh Joshi as “unfortunate” and asserted that the public sees through such political tactics. BJP leaders further claimed that the people of the state would deliver a fitting reply to the Congress party in the upcoming elections. He stated that, come 2027, the public will once again bring the BJP to power with an absolute majority.Meanwhile, there is also talk regarding the imminent inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Highway. It is anticipated that the highway may be inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi. This is expected to give fresh momentum to both traffic flow and tourism in the region.Smooth traffic management is absolutely essential for a major tourist destination like Mussoorie. Consequently, local residents and business owners are demanding that—until a permanent bridge is constructed—alternative arrangements be implemented swiftly to ensure that tourists face no inconvenience and the tourism industry remains unaffected.
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