On the second day of Vidhan Sabha session three different protest marches resulted in traffic chaos in the city. Traffic on Haridwar Road was disrupted during the protest rallies stopped by the police at the Rispana barricade. The traffic coming from Doiwala to Dehradun was diverted towards Jogiwala, which resulted into traffic congestion near Raipur ring road and Fountain Chowk. Traffic was diverted for about three hours while the protests were underway.
Ayush Sharma, a student coming from DAV PG college said, “I came till Dharmpur in a three wheeler, but the driver refused to come this side because he knew about the traffic scenario here. I walked some distance but then the police personnel at the barrier told me to go back because the barricade ahead was closed. I told them that I live nearby and that it would have taken me twice the time to go back, but they said that I can either wait or go back.”
An old couple wanting to reach Rispana taxi stand to leave for their hometown Kotdwar was diverted to the Pragati Vihar route. “We are not locals. We had come to Dehradun for my 68 year old wife Lakshmi Devi’s check up following chest pain. In this condition we have to walk more than a kilometer and we don’t even know the alternate route to Rispana bridge,” said Lakshmi Devi’s husband.
“Due to the diversions we have to take longer route, which affects our earnings and also increases fuel consumption. The passengers also complain about the inconvenience. My route is from Fountain Chowk but they won’t let us go,”said Vikram driver Rahul Mehra. JD Nautiyal who owns a shop near the Rispana barricade said,“It is very difficult for the working people as they have to walk extra distance in the heat. Despite my own vehicle it took me 20 minutes to reach my shop which I otherwise reach in five minutes.”