During the time when the Dak Kanwars would start with lakhs of Kanwariyas swarming the city on two-wheelers, the alternative hill bypass route would remain closed this time. This is because the road is yet to be fully repaired after the recent spell of heavy rainfall damaged stretches of it.
Notably, revamped at an estimated expenditure of Rs32 crores, the hill by-pass route which passes through the Rajaji Tiger Reserve is opened during the time of fests to ease the traffic in the city and the National Highway. However, things are in a sorry state this time as no preparation has been made at the district level to repair the three bridges on the by-pass road.
The park officials keep the road closed to maintain the environmental balance so that the environment of the flora and fauna is conserved since it comes under conservation zone. But as per the High Court orders, the route would be opened when there is no alternative left.
The ongoing Kanwar mela has already seen the footfalls of around 1.40 crore pilgrims while the major rush of Dak kanwar is yet to come.
The Kanwar pilgrims on the motor bikes give tough time to the cops managing the traffic as has been the routine in the past years. The traffic police always give the alternative way to ease the traffic.
When asked, district magistrate Harbans Singh Chugh said, “The Hill by-pass road would not be opened this time for the Kanwar pilgrims on account of mud slides and heavy silt deposition that occurred during recent monsoon rains.” A local trader from Ranipur More, Mridul Kaushik said, “The Hill by-pass road connects the northern part of the city with the Motichur area. During traffic jams, the vehicles coming from Dehradun and heading to Delhi were made to pass through this road and vehicles going from Haridwar to Dehradun are also routed from Industrial area and hill bye pass so that the National Highway is somewhat free. But this time it is going to be tough for the traders during Dak Kanwar.”