By Our Staff Reporter
Dehradun, 29 Nov: The BJP Government led by Pushkar Singh Dhami claims that it is committed to resolve the issue of traffic jams by developing parking spaces at major pilgrimage sites, in the cities, and in and around various tourist destinations. The government has shared that keeping in view the year-round influx of tourists and pilgrims, it has planned to create a total of 182 parking facilities across the state at the earliest possible through various development authorities. The Government has also shared that, currently, parking spaces for over 15,000 vehicles are being developed and, of the total of 182 facilities planned, 34 sites are already completed. The MDDA is constructing parking facilities for 2,000 vehicles in Rishikesh and Dehradun.
In recent years, road connectivity in Uttarakhand has been strengthened through the PMGSY network, along with the upgradation of All Weather Road, Expressway, and State Highway into National Highway. This has resulted in record crowds during the Char Dham Yatra and tourist season. However, it has also led to increased traffic jams in major cities and tourist spots. To address this issue, the Uttarakhand Housing and Urban Development Authority (UDA) is developing parking facilities for a total of 15,857 vehicles at 182 sites, with 2,102 vehicle spaces already created at 34 sites. Construction work has started on 47 additional sites, and action on the remaining is ongoing at various levels.
Among the facilities being developed, the government is also exploring creating tunnel parking facilities in places where feasible. Due to the mountainous terrain, there is a shortage of space for ground floor and multi-story parking in Uttarakhand. Therefore, for the first time, the state government is exploring the option of tunnel parking. This involves developing parking facilities by constructing tunnels inside mountains. Tunnel parking facilities are already being developed at locations such as Bageshwar, Laxman Jhula, Ukhimath, Kempty Falls, Nainbagh, Tapovan, Uttarkashi, Yamunotri Marg (Uttarkashi), and two places in Nainital.
According to Secretary Dr R Meenakshi Sundaram, who is the Chief Administrator of UDA, tunnel parking can be a milestone for Uttarakhand.
Commenting on this, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami observed that parking is being constructed at major stops so that the precious time of pilgrims and tourists coming to Uttarakhand is not wasted in traffic jams. He shared that the district magistrates have been asked to select land for this on priority. Local residents will also benefit from this, the CM claimed.
Total proposed parking places are 182 of which 57 will be surface level parking while 107 will be multi storey parking facilities. Nine parking facilities will be automated while 10 parking facilities will be tunnel based. Total proposed capacity planned to be created will be for 15,857 vehicles.
