Dehradun: The city traffic has turned into a nightmare for residents and commuters alike. The city's roads, choked with vehicles from dawn till dusk, are a constant source of frustration.
Despite various attempts like odd-even regulations and other half-hearted measures, the situation remains chaotic, leaving locals with a sense of helplessness.
The much-anticipated Delhi-Dehradun expressway, instead of easing the burden, might just add to the already crumbling traffic infrastructure.
So, what’s the way out? Dehradun based NGO SDCF led by Anoop Nautiyal has suggested a three-pronged approach that the city desperately needs:
1. A Reality Check on Traffic:
First, let’s be honest about where we stand. Dehradun's traffic management has been a disaster. Past plans by different agencies have either failed or barely scratched the surface.
We need a deep dive into these plans—what went wrong, what little worked, and what the future holds with the growing population, vehicle sales, and outdated road networks.
Technology could be a game-changer, but are we ready to embrace it? And let's not overlook the encroachments that make matters worse.
It's high time our leaders stop viewing everything through the rose-tinted glasses of tourism and start addressing its fallout on traffic.
Moreover, the Dehradun police should be equipped with accurate data on the number of vehicles commuting daily, including tourists and outsiders. They must also track how many new vehicles are registered daily in the city. Without this critical data, how can we hope to solve the problem?
2. Interventions That Matter:
Deploying more cops won’t cut it. Neither will the usual tree-cutting and road-widening tactics that are environmentally disastrous.
The focus should be on bolstering public transport and introducing a neo-metro system.
Integrating GIS, AI, and smart parking solutions is crucial. Potholes? Fix them, for crying out loud! What we need is political will, resources, and the cooperation of multiple government agencies. Empty slogans won’t fix our traffic mess—real action will.
3. Engaging the Public:
No plan can succeed without the people’s involvement. The government and authorities have failed to inspire confidence among the citizens. It’s high time they launch a sustained effort to engage Dehradun’s residents.
Walking, cycling, carpooling, and urban planning all need to be part of a cohesive strategy.
In the end, there might be different ways to tackle the issue, but what’s crucial is the will to act. The question remains: Is anyone listening?
