The traffic management strategies involve the deployment of additional personnel, rigorous monitoring, mapping out alternative routes, and promoting public transportation, according to a senior police official.
As schools break for summer vacation, tourists flock to various destinations throughout Himachal Pradesh. This substantial influx has led to frequent traffic snarls on highways and connecting roads.
Hoteliers report that the average occupancy rates at tourist accommodations in Himachal Pradesh were around 60-70 percent on weekdays, increasing to 80-90 percent on weekends last week.
“Over 1.5 million vehicles have entered Shimla in the last 45 days, and police have devised a five-point strategy to manage the flow,” Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh informed PTI.
He noted that managing the surge in tourists is manageable, provided internal issues are addressed.
The traffic strategy entails the deployment of additional personnel, interceptor vehicles, and motorcycle units for traffic control, oversight by gazetted officers, the use of alternative roads, and promoting public transport along with public awareness initiatives, according to Superintendent of Police Gaurav Singh.
He pointed out that malfunctioning heavy vehicles like buses or trucks on the Cart Road, a crucial route for the hill town, present significant challenges as they frequently cause extensive traffic jams. Removing a disabled vehicle with a crane on a narrow road is a lengthy process, Singh explained.
He mentioned that three cranes have been positioned in various sectors for prompt management of such scenarios.
On Tuesday, he reported that five vehicles had broken down, and added that private buses stopping in unauthorized locations often disrupt traffic flow. Idle parking is also an ongoing concern.
The traffic management plan includes deploying an extra 210 police personnel and home guards, along with volunteers. Traffic staff have also been assigned to major parking areas to facilitate the smooth entry and exit of vehicles, reducing congestion.
The number of motorcycle traffic personnel has been increased to 32 for quick response to traffic issues. Interceptor vehicles are being utilized in multiple areas to enforce traffic laws and ensure prompt action against violations.
Shimla city has been divided into five sectors for improved traffic monitoring and regulation. Each sector is managed by a gazetted officer tasked with maintaining efficient traffic flow.
Furthermore, tourists are being encouraged to utilize alternative routes to cut travel time and alleviate congestion within the city. Travelers heading to Kufri, Narkanda, Theog, and Kinnaur are advised to take the Shoghi-Mehli bypass route.
This route helps decrease traffic congestion in the city and save travel time, the official mentioned, adding that around 800 vehicles are currently being diverted through the bypass daily.
Shimla Police is also producing and disseminating awareness and educational videos on social media to share traffic-related information with the public and tourists.
To promote public transport use, larger vehicles such as Travellers and other forms of public transport have been allowed to operate on Cart Road to reduce dependence on private cars and ease congestion.
Highlighting the effectiveness of the plan, SP Singh stated that there have been no significant traffic jams in the district, particularly in Shimla city and its outskirts, during the peak tourism season from April to June.
He noted that last year, substantial traffic jams were experienced on peripheral roads leading to Shoghi, Kufri, and Bilaspur, as well as in Shimla city.
Shimla Police, while warmly welcoming tourists, has urged visitors and residents to adhere to traffic rules, utilize designated parking areas, and follow alternative routes to maintain smooth traffic flow in this popular tourist destination.
