By Sunil Sonkar
Mussoorie, 3 Nov: Initiatives are intensifying at the government level to resolve parking woes and improve the deteriorating traffic situation in Mussoorie.
Plans are being formulated to develop new parking facilities across the town and streamline traffic flow at major intersections. Forty-two locations have been identified across various wards within the municipal area for the parking of both small and large vehicles. The ongoing project aims to establish a total parking capacity for approximately 1,500 vehicles, incorporating both proposed government and private parking facilities.
According to Mussoorie SDM Rahul Anand, a committee was constituted by the Home Secretary following a petition filed in the High Court in the case of ‘Pravesh Pant vs. Government of Uttarakhand’. During a meeting with this committee, directives were issued to seek a permanent solution to Mussoorie’s parking crisis and to identify potential sites. Subsequently, an advertisement was issued inviting private landowners to express interest in developing parking facilities, which resulted in six applications. The SDM explained that a survey of available plots across various municipal wards was conducted to determine where parking facilities could be established, leading to the identification of 42 potential sites suitable for parking developments of varying scales. Additionally, proposals have been prepared for five government-owned parking sites. The overall objective is to create parking capacity for about 1,500 vehicles. However, the mere identification of these sites does not mean construction can begin immediately; it will be necessary to obtain No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments, depending on the specific conditions and the nature of the land at each location. For matters involving forest areas, eco-sensitive zones, and other restricted categories, permissions may be required from the relevant departments as well as the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, in accordance with established regulations.
The SDM stated that a detailed report regarding potential parking sites and the associated formalities has been submitted to the Home Secretary. The process of obtaining No Objection Certificates (NOCs) from various departments and ministries is currently underway, with the Mussoorie Dehradun Development Authority (MDDA) also taking action at the secretarial level. The Home Secretary has designated the SDM of Mussoorie as the nodal officer for this entire process to ensure coordination among the concerned departments and to advance the project. In addition to parking, plans are being developed to improve traffic management at key junctions in Mussoorie—specifically Kincraig, Picture Palace Chowk, Library Chowk, Zero Point, and the junction near the Lal Bahadur Shastri National Academy of Administration. Efforts are ongoing to secure the necessary NOCs to alleviate traffic congestion and improve vehicle flow at these locations. According to the SDM, most of the required formalities are nearing completion, though the NOC concerning the National Highway is still pending; continuous correspondence is being maintained to secure it. During the tourist season and on weekends, the surge in vehicle numbers in Mussoorie exacerbates parking shortages and traffic congestion, affecting local residents, tourists, and the movement of essential services. Consequently, if construction is permitted at the proposed parking sites and the traffic management plan for major junctions is successfully implemented, it could help reduce the vehicular burden on the city.
