Parking crisis chokes Dharampur-Kasauli road as tourism boom outpaces planning

Inadequate parking facilities in dozens of hotels that have mushroomed along the narrow, single-lane Dharampur-Kasauli road have become a persistent source of traffic chaos. Over the past few years, nearly 50 tourism projects have been permitted along an 8-km stretch, significantly increasing vehicular pressure on an already constrained route. The situation has been worsened by the emergence of roadside kiosks selling tea and snacks, further eating into the limited road space.

Tourist vehicles are frequently parked along the roadside, often on both sides, leaving little room for smooth passage. The problem intensifies during weekends, when visitor numbers peak. Vehicles struggle to negotiate the steep climbs leading to hotels perched on hilltops, forcing many to halt and park on the road itself, causing severe inconvenience to other motorists.

Sanawar Gaon has emerged as a major congestion hotspot, with multiple resorts located on surrounding hillsides drawing heavy traffic. Traffic jams here have become routine, especially during peak tourist seasons. Despite moderate hotel occupancy rates ranging between 40 and 65 per cent, new constructions continue unchecked, raising concerns over sustainability.

Local stakeholders have flagged the issue repeatedly. They argue that civic infrastructure, particularly roads and parking facilities, has not kept pace with the rapid expansion of tourism. The Kasauli planning area, which spans 35 villages, is witnessing mounting pressure due to unregulated growth.

The problem is further compounded by ongoing construction activity. Debris from new hotel projects is often dumped along the roadside, reducing usable width at several points. In some cases, structural encroachments have affected parapets and culverts, despite regulations mandating a minimum distance of 3.5 metres from the road boundary.

Notably, the Dharampur-Kasauli road itself has never undergone significant widening. Successive approvals for new tourism projects have been granted without assessing the area’s carrying capacity. This has resulted in a mismatch between infrastructure and demand.

Enforcement remains another weak link. With limited manpower, police struggle to monitor the entire stretch effectively. While violators are fined at key junctions like Garkhal, where five roads converge, enforcement elsewhere remains inconsistent.

Although parking provisions are mandatory for commercial establishments, these norms are often flouted. The issue is particularly severe in areas outside formal planning zones, including stretches like the Sanawar-Dharampur road and parts of the Kimmughat-Chakki Mor route.

Adding to the congestion, trucks unloading construction materials frequently remain parked on the road for extended periods. For residents living along the route, this translates into prolonged traffic jams, especially during peak summer months, disrupting daily life and emergency movement alike.