Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 12 Jun: The ever-increasing traffic problem in the tourist town of Mussoorie is now beginning to endanger lives. Chaos ensued on Spring Road on Friday when an ambulance carrying a critically ill patient to Dehradun got stuck in a massive traffic jam. The ambulance could not move forward due to the narrow road and vehicles parked along the roadside, causing anxiety among the patient’s family and locals given the patient’s deteriorating condition. According to eyewitnesses, illegal roadside parking has long been an issue on Spring Road. On Friday, traffic was completely disrupted as vehicles were parked on both sides of the road. It was during this time that the ambulance carrying the patient became trapped.
Locals made strenuous efforts to clear the way, but the situation could not be normalised. Observing the patient’s worsening condition, the administration and locals immediately sought an alternative route. Subsequently, special permission was obtained by contacting ITBP officials. Prioritising humanitarian concerns, the ITBP granted permission to use the route through their premises. The ambulance was then safely dispatched to Dehradun via the ITBP route. Following the incident, locals have questioned the functioning of the police and administration. They point out that Spring Road is already narrow, yet vehicles associated with certain hotels and commercial establishments are parked along the roadside, frequently causing traffic jams. Residents state that Friday’s incident proves that a major tragedy could occur in the future if the system is not improved in time. People allege that while claims are made regarding traffic management, no concrete action is visible on the ground. Locals have also expressed concern regarding the condition of the road leading to the Sub-District Hospital in Mussoorie. They point out that vehicles are frequently parked along the roadside on the hospital route as well. If a critically ill patient needs to be rushed to the hospital, similar issues could arise. Mussoorie is currently witnessing a massive influx of tourists, and the town’s limited road network is struggling to cope with the mounting vehicular pressure. Traffic jams have become a daily occurrence on Mall Road, Library Chowk, Picture Palace, Spring Road, and other key routes. Consequently, the disruption of emergency services is emerging as a serious challenge for the administration. Local residents have urged the administration, police, and the municipality to launch a special drive against roadside parking on Spring Road and the hospital route. They have also demanded that dedicated arrangements be made for emergency vehicles during the tourist season to ensure that no patient’s life is put at risk in the future.
