Rising Influx of Tourists and Impact of the Expressway:
Garhwal Post Bureau
Mussoorie, 19 Apr: The tourism season in Mussoorie is just around the corner and, with it, the administration’s concerns regarding traffic management have intensified. In particular, following the inauguration of the Delhi-Dehradun Expressway, a significant surge is anticipated in the number of tourists arriving from Delhi and surrounding regions. Consequently, the vehicular pressure on Mussoorie’s roads could multiply manifold. In a city already grappling with chronic congestion, the long traffic jams stretching from Gandhi Chowk to the Kincraig route continue to be a source of frustration for both tourists and locals alike. Now, in the wake of the expressway, there are apprehensions that this problem could escalate into an even more formidable challenge.
To mitigate the traffic pressure, the 23-kilometre-long Lambidhar-Kimadi (LKD) Road is being hailed as the most viable alternative. This route originates from the Supply Area in Garhi Cantt and connects with the main road near Mussoorie Lake, thereby providing a direct alternative route for vehicles arriving from Dehradun. The Provincial Division of the Public Works Department (PWD) has accelerated the process for widening this road. The department has successfully completed a crucial phase of the tendering process and has stated that the remaining formalities will be concluded shortly.
According to Executive Engineer Rajesh Kumar, the tendering process is scheduled to be finalised, and the contract with the chosen contractor is expected to be signed by the end of April. Following this, the road-widening work will commence in May, with the objective of completing the entire project and making the road fully operational within the next 6 to 7 months.
Experts observe that, while the year-on-year increase in tourist arrivals in Mussoorie is a positive development for the city’s economy, it simultaneously places an escalating strain on its traffic management systems and infrastructure. If alternative routes are not developed in a timely manner, the problem of traffic congestion could also adversely impact tourism.
In the coming months, the greatest challenge facing the administration will be striking a balance between tourism and traffic management. The widening of the Lambidhar-Kimadi road is being viewed as a crucial step in this direction, expected to alleviate pressure on Mussoorie’s main thoroughfare.
