Palampur SDM Takes Action to Alleviate Traffic Hazards on Bypass

Traffic Safety Measures Implemented in Palampur

Vikal Sharma
Palampur:
In response to a recent report highlighting the perilous traffic conditions on the Palampur bypass, Sub-Divisional Magistrate Netra Meti has imposed restrictions on heavy vehicles, including Volvo buses, from 5 am to 8 am.

The order, enacted under Section 152 of the Indian Penal Code, redirects heavy vehicles such as trucks and lorries coming from Delhi, Chandigarh, and other regions towards Baijnath, Jogindernagar, and Beed Billing via Kalu Di Hatti Chowk.

This initiative aims to alleviate significant traffic congestion near the Sabzi Mandi area, notorious for its gridlock during morning hours due to unloading activities by commercial vehicles, which disrupt local commuters, shopkeepers, and vendors.

Traffic police and enforcement agencies have been instructed to rigorously enforce this new regulation, with legal repercussions for any breaches. Although the administration has indicated that this measure is temporary, it is deemed essential for ensuring smooth traffic flow and public safety during peak hours.

Commuters frequently describe the bypass, especially near the Pachrukhi junction, as a potential accident zone. Ramesh, a daily traveler, remarked, “Buses from Palampur speed down the slope, while vehicles from the opposite direction do the same. There’s no system in place to regulate them.” The situation is further complicated by two-wheelers maneuvering through tight spaces, forcing vehicles to navigate bottlenecks individually due to the absence of coordinated traffic management.