Palampur’s perilous roads: Streets choked, accidents rising, silent authorities

Frequent traffic jams in Palampur, particularly in satellite areas, have become a major inconvenience for students, commuters and tourists. Most roads are perpetually clogged with vehicles, making pedestrian movement difficult and dangerous. Senior citizens have been the worst affected, with over 20 seriously injured by speeding bikes on narrow roads in the past six months.

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Palampur’s narrow streets have effectively turned into “killer roads” for pedestrians. The latest victim is a bank employee, struck by a speeding biker near Hanuman Mandir in Ghuggar on Friday. He sustained multiple head injuries and is currently hospitalised. Earlier, Sujata, a resident of Ram Chowk, was hit by a minor driving a two-wheeler. She suffered severe head trauma and remained unconscious for several days. A retired Deputy Director of the Animal Husbandry Department was also hit by a biker in front of Rotary Bhavan.

Local NGOs such as People’s Voice, Palampur Welfare Forum and Dhauladhar Sewa Samiti have appealed to the administration to install speed breakers on accident-prone roads to curb speeding. KB Ralhan, convener of People’s Voice, stated that the matter has been raised multiple times with the PWD and local SDM, but no action has been taken—while road accidents have only increased.

Despite the surge in vehicle numbers, the town’s road infrastructure has remained unchanged for over 30 years. The lack of road widening has led to chronic congestion. Illegal and idle parking at key locations like Ghuggar, Plaza Market, SSB Chowk, Kali Bari Mandir and opposite Rotary Bhavan has further worsened traffic conditions. Accident-prone areas like Ghuggar, near Sheetla Mata Mandir and opposite Major Sudheer Walia’s statue remain hazardous despite multiple complaints. Idle parking has been identified as a leading cause of accidents and congestion, yet the traffic police remain largely inactive.

The Palampur-Dharamsala road has effectively turned into an accident zone. Although the administration and police are well aware of the situation, little has been done to ensure pedestrian safety.

A multi-storey parking project announced 14 years ago remains in limbo due to bureaucratic delays. Although the Municipal Corporation transferred 8 kanals of land to the Urban Development Department a decade ago, no funds have been allocated for construction. Residents accuse the government of neglecting Palampur, pointing out that no major projects have been sanctioned in the past two years.

The worsening traffic crisis in Palampur urgently calls for road expansion, the creation of proper parking facilities and strict enforcement of traffic rules. Without immediate intervention, accidents and congestion will continue to escalate, endangering the lives of residents and visitors alike.