Notes from October 2024 Trip
By Gaurav Joshi
After going through the gruelling NEET UG admission schedule for my daughter, delayed due to many controversies this year, it was time to pack bags and head off from Mumbai to Delhi and then onwards to Dehradun and spend some time in the Uttarakhand hills. This is one of the best
times to visit the hills if one wants to catch some breathtaking views.
Both legs of the journey were smooth. OLA has penetrated deep in many towns across India. It served our purpose well in Dehradun. The Delhi-Dehradun Expressway inaugurated twice, first by Nitin Gadkari and, later, by Narendra Modi in 2021 is well in advanced stage of project implementation and reports suggest its opening by this year-end. Will it reduce the journey time between Dehradun and Delhi by half to 2.5 hours? Only time will tell. Large parts of Dehradun are dug up with shoddy incomplete work at many spots especially in the Indira Nagar and Vasant Vihar area (#Chief Minister, Government of Uttarakhand).
A day trip to Mussoorie and Landour was more to appreciate the majestic post-monsoon views of the Himalayan peaks and scenic surroundings. Mussoorie, like all North Indian Hill Stations, is plagued by huge traffic inflows and jams. Luckily, thanks to Navratri season the day we went, we
escaped the traffic snarls. Found the local taxes and entry charges are quite exorbitant at many spots in Mussoorie (#Chief Minister, Government of Uttarakhand). Landour was simply beautiful and Café Ivy, Landour, was an ideal place for some amazing food, great atmosphere, good ambience and service.
Next, took an overnight train ride to Kathgodam (Uttarakhand) from Dehradun. The ride was very smooth and convenient. Had booked a cab ride from Kathgodam to Ramgarh (Uttarakhand). Unfortunately, the cab did not turn up and the cab aggregator (CabBazaar) was unable to arrange one due to surge pricing in play. The Uttarakhand Roadways bus service is not functional in the real sense in this leg, and the locals are being forced to take the shared jeep rides. (#Transport Department, #Tourism Department, Government of Uttarakhand). It was a local cab ride at the end.
There is no direct bus service available from Ramgarh (Uttarakhand) to Almora (Uttarakhand)
(#Transport Department, #Tourism Department Government of Uttarakhand). The cab rates are exorbitant, if booked locally. Further, the direct bus rides from Ramgarh to Nainital, Nathuakhan to Nainital and Mukteshwar to Nainital, which in the past were being operated by Uttarakhand Roadways are all non-functional now. (#Transport Department, #Tourism Department Government of Uttarakhand). The Bhowali bus depot manager highlighted lack of bus drivers as one of the causes. The college going kids and Government employees who have to travel daily suffer and waste many manhours waiting for alternate transport means.
Almora (Uttarakhand) has grown in all directions in the last few decades but not lost its rich cultural heritage. A visit during the Dusshera and Holi season would enthral one with spellbound performances and rendition of music/songs well past midnight by talented residents in the cold nights. What ails this erstwhile Capital city of the Chand kings is that the roads are narrow and
traffic jams are common. The city is also faced with a big monkey menace, and monkey bite cases rising sharply in recent times. Travel time gets long due to one way traffic and no travel zone in many parts of the town during the daytime.
On return from Almora to Ramgarh no direct bus service available. (#Transport Department, Government of Uttarakhand). Met many school going kids asking for ‘lift’ in the morning who otherwise walk miles from their home for their daily school routine. If Government can think of providing rickshaws or some other safe and viable transport medium for these kids in tie-up with some NGOs, it will surely incentivise and enhance attendance in schools. The girls were mostly aspiring to be Nurses. (# School Education, Government of Uttarakhand). Most of the lot are not in a position to afford the exorbitant costs of medical education in private medical colleges. The medical colleges at Kichha, Rudrapur and Pithoragarh are still far from completion and in different stages of project implementation. (#Health Ministry, Government of Uttarakhand). The medical colleges in Uttarakhand are also faced with severe staff shortages as per newspaper reports.
The region is also plagued with the sad situation of stray cattle, as they are being left in the open to fend for themselves after they lose their economic use for the owners. (#Department of Animal Husbandry, Government of Uttarakhand). Their situation is pitiable during the rains and as winters set in. This is, partly, due to the new Cow Protection Act.
The only available ATM in Malla Ramgarh, Uttarakhand has also been permanently shut since late last year as per local bank personnel. One needs to travel more than 10 kms to access the nearest available ATM. Patients visiting the Community Health Centre, Malla Ramgarh, and tourists and local residents do not have any other source to withdraw cash (#Ministry of Finance, Department of Banking Supervision, Government of India). The Community Health Centre has space and can be used to set up an extension counter along with ATM of any bank. The Community Health Centre has medical facilities including eye and dental care which provide only basic services. It would be a great leap if the scope of services is extended to include Cataract Operations and routine Root Canal Treatment. (# Department of Medical Health and Family Welfare, Government of Uttarakhand). The staff highlighted water shortage as one of their challenges, especially if they have to operate on a patient, which are usually, the childbirth cases.
The region is also witnessing migration due to lack of job opportunities and the school authorities point to fall in student numbers as an indicator. Some good work by organisations like #Giving Hands Foundation, which has helped in the process of building a library in a remote tranquil village Talla Ramgarh, Nainital District, in 2023. The Government officials in their individual capacity are approaching private individuals, corporates and trusts to seek funds for undertaking major repairs of the school premises.
The Mother Dairy unit at Malla Ramgarh in Uttarakhand’s famous fruit belt is unfortunately lying shut. Strategically located on main Bhowali – Ramgarh – Mukteshwar Highway and with good infrastructure it would have many takers should the Government be bold enough to go for its revival. (#Department of Horticulture, Government of Uttarakhand).
The post-monsoon road repairs work is merely an eyewash. This region also has many unfinished road projects including Kainchi Bypass lingering for many years. (#Ministry of Road Transport and Highways and Public Works Department, Uttarakhand). Also, locals advise avoiding the Kainchi-Ramgarh newly constructed road due to its bad construction quality.
On the return journey from Ramgarh to Dehradun, boarded the overnight mail from Kathgodam
to Dehradun at Haldwani. Haldwani would perhaps go down as one of the worst maintained Railway Stations in Uttarakhand (#Ministry of Railways, Government of India). Its approach and drop and boarding areas are both in a pathetic state. The case of illegal and unauthorised occupation of its premises has been in the news of late. The train reaches Dehradun in the Brahma muhurt at 4.20 a.m. In the winter months it would be quite a task for those reaching Dehradun by this train.
Decided to take a Volvo Ride from Dehradun to Delhi. Ease of Online booking and on time departure would give full marks to the Uttarakhand Roadways here. The last time I had taken a bus ride from Dehradun to Delhi was in December 1990 nearly 35 years ago. It had taken almost 12 hours to travel between the two cities then. The nightmarish memory of that journey was finally erased by this journey. The new Inter State Bus Terminal at Dehradun and the renovated
Inter State Bus Terminal at Ajmeri Gate would get high grades too. Toilets were quite clean and there is relative ease in boarding and deboarding at both places. ISBT Ajmeri Gate, Delhi, is well connected with the oldest metro line in Delhi and is at a short 5- 10 minutes’ walk.
The last leg travel in Air India Boeing 777 from Delhi to Mumbai was another experience. The flight door opening on landing at Mumbai was much delayed and passengers were left stranded inside waiting for an external electric connect to shut down the 777 engines. It was followed by a bus ride back to the airport terminal building as the plane stood parked on the tarmac. Luckily, the baggage had already arrived when the passengers entered the arrival lounge which partially compensated for the earlier loss of time. However, the real drudgery had been in the auto’s arrival and drop area in T2 Terminal and also the long wait for the booked cab rides. Perhaps Adani airports team needs to look into the issues in collaboration with Mumbai Police. The long traffic
jam in the Andheri-Kurla Road was best to be forgotten at the end of this lovely trip up North.
Finally left with a futuristic scenario of what if there is a metro ride from Kathgodam to Ramnagar (Jim Corbett Park entry point) and another one between Dehradun and Haridwar, a vision statement for state policy makers.
(The author Gaurav Joshi is a Senior Advisor associated with an Independent Global Advisory Firm)
