Traffic woes: Congestion, road mishaps on the rise in Palampur

Frequent traffic jams in Palampur, especially in satellite areas, have caused immense inconvenience to students, commuters and tourists. Most roads are choked with vehicles, making it difficult for pedestrians to navigate. Senior citizens have been the worst affected, with over 20 being seriously injured by speeding bikes on narrow roads in the past three months.

Despite a sharp increase in vehicles, road widths remain the same as they were 30 years ago. No significant efforts have been made to widen roads, leading to severe congestion. Idle parking at key locations such as Ghuggar, Plaza Market, SSB Chowk, Kali Bari Mandir, and opposite Rotary Bhavan has further worsened the situation. Despite repeated complaints, accident-prone areas like Ghuggar, near Sheetla Mata Mandir, and opposite Major Sudheer Walia’s statue remain hazardous, with multiple accidents reported.

A multi-storey parking project, announced 14 years ago, remains stalled due to bureaucratic delays. The Municipal Corporation transferred eight kanals of valuable land to the Urban Development Department a decade ago, yet no funds have been allocated for its construction. Residents blame the government for neglecting Palampur, alleging that no new projects have been sanctioned in the past two years.

Adding to the chaos, more than two dozen banks in Palampur lack parking spaces. This forces senior citizens and pensioners to park outside banks when collecting pensions, often facing fines from traffic police.

A senior police officer acknowledged the issue but emphasized the need for public cooperation. “We have deployed half a dozen policemen at key locations, but without public support, managing traffic is difficult. Issuing challans is not a permanent solution; people must follow traffic rules and avoid idle parking,” he stated.

The worsening traffic situation in Palampur calls for urgent road expansion, proper parking facilities, and strict enforcement of traffic rules. Without these measures, congestion and accidents will continue to rise, affecting residents and visitors alike.