“Graded Response Action Plan” sought to address Traffic Congestion in U’khand

my uttarakhand news Bureau
Dehradun, 15 Feb: In view of the worsening traffic situation in Uttarakhand, social activist Anoop Nautiyal has proposed the implementation of a “Graded Response Action Plan” or GRAP based traffic management system in the state. In this regard, he has sent a proposal to Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami.
Anoop Nautiyal stated that traffic congestion in Uttarakhand is no longer limited to the tourism season or specific peak days. Due to the Char Dham Yatra, frequent weekend holidays and long holiday season, heavy traffic pressure persists across various parts of the state for almost the entire year.
With the upcoming commencement of the Delhi–Dehradun Expressway, a substantial and uncontrolled rise in vehicle numbers is inevitable while the roads in the hill regions are already operating at limited capacity. If timely and well-planned measures are not implemented, the state may face a kind of “traffic tsunami”, which could severely impact daily life, the environment, and the functioning of governance, administration, and the police system.
Anoop Nautiyal pointed out that, in the absence of a robust traffic management framework, administrative authorities and the police face sudden pressures and citizens as well as tourists are forced to endure significant hardship. To address this challenge, he suggested that, on the lines of the “Graded Response Action Plan” implemented in Delhi for air pollution control, Uttarakhand should adopt a phased, pre-defined, and rule-based traffic management mechanism.
According to the proposal, the Uttarakhand Traffic “Graded Response Action Plan” can be implemented in four stages. In situations of mild congestion, measures such as traffic advisories, action against illegal parking, and the use of alternative routes can be enforced. During heavy congestion, parking restrictions and controlled vehicle entry may be introduced. In cases of severe congestion, non-essential heavy vehicles can be restricted and work-from-home arrangements may be encouraged. In emergency situations, temporary restrictions on tourism movement on certain routes and the creation of dedicated corridors for ambulances and disaster response services can be ensured.
Anoop Nautiyal further recommended the establishment of an independent state-level body, titled the “Uttarakhand Commission for Traffic Management”, which would continuously monitor traffic data, activate different stages of the “Graded Response Action Plan” as required, and ensure coordination among various departments.
He stated that, if implemented, Uttarakhand could possibly become the first state in the country to establish a dedicated state-level commission for traffic management, setting an example for other hill states. He expressed hope that the Chief Minister would adopt a forward-looking and innovative approach to address emerging traffic hotspots and proactively respond to the potential “traffic tsunami” in Uttarakhand.