By Satvik Bansal
Rajpur Road and Mussoorie Road are two of the most important roads in Dehradun, but they are not what they used to be. I remember my parents telling me how these roads were once calm, green, and full of charm. Now, when I pass by, all I see is traffic, noise, and buildings everywhere. As a citizen, I feel sad seeing how these roads, which are such a big part of our city, are losing their beauty and becoming chaotic.
Rajpur Road was once known for its wide footpaths, big trees, and peaceful vibe. People could walk safely, and there wasn’t much traffic. But now, it’s completely different. Everywhere you look, there are new cafes, shops, and buildings. Many of these have been built by covering the footpaths or open spaces, which is so wrong. The road is always crowded with cars, bikes, e-rickshaws, and delivery vehicles. Traffic jams happen even in the middle of the day, and finding a place to park is a huge problem. People just park on the road, making it even harder for others to drive. The noise and dust make it tough to enjoy being there, and the tall trees that gave shade are either gone or hidden behind big signboards.
Mussoorie Road, which goes all the way to the hill station, has its own set of problems. Since it’s a tourist spot, lots of hotels, restaurants, and hostels are being built. But many of these are made without proper planning or permission. I’ve heard that hills are being cut into for construction, which is dangerous because it can cause landslides. During the rainy season, the road becomes like a river. Even a little rain can cause big traffic jams or damage the road. The natural drains that used to carry water away have been blocked or built over, so the water just stays on the road. Trees are being chopped down, and green areas are turning into concrete buildings. This is bad for the environment and for the people who live nearby.
One of the biggest issues on both roads is that the footpaths are almost gone. Shops and stalls have taken over, and people have to walk on the road, which is really unsafe. The population around these roads keeps growing, but the roads themselves haven’t gotten any wider, and there are no new facilities to handle the crowd. The traffic police try to manage, but it’s not enough. Locals who’ve lived here for years say they don’t even recognise these places anymore. The peaceful feeling is gone, replaced by chaos and overcrowding. I’ve also noticed that a lot of construction happens at night or on weekends, and it seems like no one checks if it’s legal or not. This just adds to the problem because more buildings mean more cars and less space for parking or drainage.
The situation is so bad that even a short trip takes forever. I’ve seen ambulances stuck in traffic on Mussoorie Road, especially during tourist season, which is really scary. Locals are frustrated, and even tourists are starting to complain about the traffic and dirt. These roads used to be so special, with their natural beauty and history, but now they’re losing that identity. If things continue like this, I’m worried that Rajpur Road and Mussoorie Road will become just like any other crowded city street, with no trace of what made them unique.
I think it’s time for the authorities to take action. They need to make strict rules about construction, save the green areas, and fix the drainage systems. Maybe they can also make the roads wider or add proper parking spaces. As a citizen, I feel helpless sometimes, but I hope that by writing about this, I can make others aware of how important it is to save our roads. We need to bring back the charm of Rajpur Road and Mussoorie Road before it’s too late.
(Satvik Bansal is Founder and CEO, The MultiMedia Store.)
