By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 3 Dec: District Magistrate Savin Bansal today chaired a meeting of senior officials from related departments regarding proposed shuttle services to Mussoorie from King Craig Parking Place and from Hathipaon to Mussoorie. The last mile connectivity to Mall Road will be provided by golf carts.
Speaking to the media after the meeting, Bansal said that the purpose was to accelerate the implementation of the shuttle services from King Craig and Hathipaon to Mussoorie. This, he asserted, would ensure great relief from frequent traffic jams.
It may be recalled that initiative has been taken by the District Magistrate. The meeting was held at the Collectorate here today.
During the meeting, the District Magistrate instructed officials to complete road improvement work on the routes from Hathipaon to King Craig Parking and George Everest Estate. It was shared that the road improvement works to be undertaken include the installation of crash barriers, allocation of designated spaces, proper installation and placement of signage, and preparation of a detailed route map by 15 December. Officials from the PWD, RTO, Executive Office, and CO Mussoorie were directed by Bansal to work in close coordination to expedite the project.
Bansal also shared that the trial run for the shuttle service is scheduled to be conducted from 15 to 20 December, with all preparations to be completed within the given timeframe.
The plans for satellite parking between King Craig and Gajji Bend are progressing rapidly. Alongside this, the work on implementing shuttle services in Mussoorie has also gained momentum. The DM has ordered the installation of satellite parking facilities, public toilets, canteens, lighting, signage, and ticketing barriers at Hathipaon and King Craig by 15 December. Efforts are underway to introduce golf carts for last-mile connectivity on Mall Road, with trials scheduled during the same period.
To address Mussoorie’s persistent traffic congestion, DM Savin Bansal has conceptualised the shuttle service initiative after conducting on-ground inspections with the SSP, Dehradun, Ajai Singh. Both these officers have visited key locations, including Hathipaon Bend, King Craig Parking, and Mall Road, identifying alternative solutions for satellite parking to ease traffic flow.
Following extensive planning and discussions, the first satellite parking system in the state is being established at Hathipaon and King Craig. King Craig Parking, which has been lying unutilised or underutilised for years, is now being developed for systematic operation. The DM has also ordered the construction of a new parking area at Hathipaon Turn.
Bansal shared with the media that the designated shuttle service routes include King Craig Parking to Library Chowk; from King Craig Parking to Picture Palace in Mussoorie; from Hathipaon to Library Chowk in Mussoorie and from Hathipaon Bend to Picture Palace and to Mall Road in Mussoorie and to George Everest.
Senior officials present at the meeting convened today included SSP Dehradun Ajai Singh, Chief Development Officer (CDO) Abhinav Shah, SDM Anamika, SP (Traffic) Mukesh Thakur, RTO Sunil Sharma, Executive Engineer Jitendra Tripathi, ARTO Rajendra Viratia, Assistant Sub-Inspector Rajendra Pal, and other officers.
