The traffic system in Dehradun was thrown out of gear on Monday mainly because of the Chaitra Navratri that the people are now observing through thronging the temples and the markets.
The schools opening on Monday as the new academic session started added to the traffic woe. Besides, the people working in other districts hit the roads in their full strength on Monday to reach their working places on time. Transport remained stuck at several places throughout the day.
The temples saw gathering of the devotees while the markets were overflowing too as they were found purchasing puja-related items.
The Durga temples, in particular, saw the maximum crowds. Besides, the students came out on the roads in large number as their schools opened for the new academic session. The day being Monday, the officer goers, working in other districts, were also on the roads in their full strength.
Vehicles moved at a snail’s pace at many places. The ordeal that started in the morning continued till late evening, landing the traffic police in a miserable plight.
At many of the important crossings across the city, vehicles were found stuck bumper to bumper, leaving the commuters in the lurch. Among the worst affected areas were Rispana, Survey Chowk, Dilaram Chowk and Clock Tower where traffic either crawled or got stuck.
Raipur resident Urmila Rawat said they had faced difficulties due to the day-long traffic jams. “It has, however, become a routine for us,” she said. A commuter Rohan said that traffic jams are witnessed on every Monday because those working outside the district rushed out on the roads to reach their working places on time after spending a day or two at their homes.
“Keeping this view, police should draft a special plan to resolve the traffic snarl that happens every Monday,” he said.
Saurabh, resident of Vani Vihar, said that people have huge expectations from the police following the promulgation of President’s Rule. “We hope they would churn out a lasting solution to the ordeal we face on the roads. We are enthused by the reports of the administration mulling to remove encroachments and the like,” he said.