By Our Staff Reporter
Nainital, 15 Apr: In a significant move aimed at decongesting the traffic-ridden streets of Nainital city, the Uttarakhand High Court today granted permission for the revival of the entry toll gates at Barah Pathar and Tallital, which had been removed by court order in 2014. The Court issued this direction during a hearing on a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) concerning the growing traffic menace in the hill town.
A division bench comprising Chief Justice G Narender and Justice Alok Mehra observed that the situation had reached a critical juncture, warranting immediate intervention to prevent the city from descending into complete traffic gridlock. The Court also observed that Nainital receives thousands of tourists daily, and on weekends, the number surges to lakhs. Patients and residents suffer due to traffic jams. The city’s narrow roads cannot accommodate uncontrolled vehicular movement.
The court further instructed the formation of a special committee under the leadership of the Chief Standing Counsel (CSC), comprising the Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) and a member of the Municipal Council, to oversee the removal of encroachments from footpaths and streamline parking and traffic systems. The next hearing has been scheduled for Thursday, 17 April.
During the hearing, SSP Nainital, Prahlad Narayan Meena, appeared in person before the court and informed that the load-bearing capacity of roads is being assessed with the assistance of geologists. The court also directed the submission of relevant documentation and requested the presence of an IIM professor at the next hearing to aid in traffic management strategies.
During the proceedings, the Nainital Municipal Council requested reinstatement of the Barah Pathar and Rock House (Phansi Gadhera) toll gates, citing worsening traffic conditions since their removal.
The bench also emphasised the urgent need for designated zebra crossings and proportional parking facilities relative to the number of hotel rooms in the city. It recommended making the Hotel Association a party to the case, ensuring hotels contribute to resolving parking issues. The Court further directed that footpaths must be cleared of all obstructions to ensure pedestrian access.
CSC Chandrashekhar Singh Rawat apprised the court of the government’s efforts to expand parking infrastructure. He stated that parking facilities have already been developed at nine new locations, including DSA, Masjid Parking, Egg Market, Metropole, Civil Court, KMVN, near the National Hotel on Haldwani Road, and Sukhatal, with further developments underway.
The court also directed that a public announcement be made regarding the removal of vehicles permanently parked on the roads, followed by formal notices.
