my uttarakhand news Bureau
CHAMOLI ,14 Mar: Acting on the directions of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami, the State government has intensified preparations to streamline traffic management along the route of the Char Dham Yatra. As part of these efforts, Housing Department Secretary R Rajesh Kumar carried out a field inspection of under-construction and proposed parking projects in Gauchar, Karnaprayag and Chamoli in Chamoli district. During the inspection, Rajesh Kumar reviewed the progress of the construction works in detail with officials of the related departments and directed them to ensure that all the projects are completed within the stipulated time frame. In line with the priority set by Dhami, the State government is focusing on ensuring smooth traffic movement and convenient transportation facilities for pilgrims as well as local residents during the Char Dham Yatra.
The officials informed the secretary during the visit that the construction of a parking facility at Gauchar has already been completed. The parking facility has a capacity to accommodate 27 vehicles and has been constructed by Uttarakhand Peyjal Evam Nirman Nigam. Rajesh Kumar directed the officials to make the parking facility operational at the earliest so that both local residents and travellers can benefit from it. He noted that such small but strategically located parking spaces play an important role in maintaining smooth traffic movement during the pilgrimage season.
The Housing Secretary also inspected the parking project currently under construction at Karnaprayag. The facility is being developed by the District Level Development Authority of Chamoli. During the inspection, Rajesh Kumar instructed the officials to expedite the pace of work and ensure that the project is completed before the upcoming Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra. He observed that a large number of devotees are expected to visit the region during the pilgrimage and adequate parking arrangements would be essential for maintaining traffic discipline and smooth movement of vehicles.
Continuing the inspection, Kumar further visited two other proposed parking locations in Chamoli, including one near the taxi stand and another situated on the Khadd side. The officials informed him that the parking facility near the taxi stand will have a capacity for 21 vehicles, while the Khadd side parking site will be able to accommodate up to 82 vehicles. Both projects are being constructed by the Rural Construction Department. The secretary directed the concerned department to accord priority to the construction work and ensure that both parking facilities are completed and made operational before the forthcoming Char Dham Yatra so that pilgrims and local residents can use them without inconvenience.
During the inspection, Kumar also issued important directions to the officials in view of the increasing traffic pressure on the Char Dham Yatra route. He instructed that the locations along the route where traffic congestion frequently occurs should be identified. Suitable land near such locations should then be selected for developing additional parking facilities in order to provide a long-term solution to traffic jams during the pilgrimage season.
Regarding the initiative, Kumar pointed out that every year lakhs of pilgrims visit Uttarakhand during the Char Dham Yatra, making robust arrangements for parking and traffic management extremely important. According to him, the parking projects being developed in Gauchar, Karnaprayag and Chamoli will play a significant role in improving local traffic management. He added that officials have been directed to complete the ongoing projects within the stipulated timeline so that pilgrims do not face inconvenience during major events such as the Char Dham Yatra and the Nanda Raj Jaat Yatra. He also instructed the officials to identify other locations along the Char Dham route where traffic congestion is common and explore possibilities for developing additional parking facilities in those areas so that traffic management can be further strengthened in the future.
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