Traffic chaos in Dharamsala raises concerns ahead of tourist season
A massive traffic jam at the Dari Bypass, en route to Palampur, brought vehicular movement to a halt for over two hours after a private bus broke down near Lungdu Chowk. With no immediate towing available, the ‘disabled’ bus blocked the entire road, leading to severe congestion.
To ease the situation, the district administration rerouted traffic through Dari Bazaar. However, the already narrow stretch—further congested by makeshift stalls for the ongoing Dari fair—proved inadequate. Even two-wheelers struggled to pass, worsening the chaos.
This incident comes just ahead of the tourist season and IPL matches in early May, when Dharamsala, a smart city and popular tourist destination, expects a surge in visitors. Senior Superintendent of Police Shalini Agnihotri assured that traffic flow would be streamlined before the major events. She has directed strict action against illegal parking and instructed shopkeepers to remove encroachments.
The jam extended over 4 km, from Fatehpur to the main Post Office, severely impacting local life. Tourists heading to Kullu-Manali, Mandi, and McLeodganj faced long delays. Most concerning was the disruption to essential services—ambulances, fire brigades, and hospital access were all hampered during the gridlock.
Although the administration has held multiple meetings and mock drills on disaster management, the response during this real-time crisis was widely criticized as inadequate. A disaster preparedness meeting is scheduled for April 24, followed by a mock drill on April 25. However, the recent episode raises serious concerns about the current emergency response mechanisms and the city’s readiness for upcoming high-traffic events.
