Manali: The HP High Court has directed the state to take all possible measures to regulate and manage traffic in Manali town, Rohtang Pass, Kasol and in Manikaran..
Taking a serious note on the issue of traffic problem in the popular hill station Manali, the HP High court has directed the state that long-term hallucination plan be framed and implemented to regulate and manage traffic in Kullu, Manali, Rohtang Pass, Kasol and Manikaran. The court further directed the local administration to file its compliance report in the court.
While passing this order the court perceived that “mere widening of roads or construction of new roads may not solve the issue . Traffic management includes many factors, like traffic control, which visualizes measures of traffic flow, management of parking areas and removal of encroachments on roads, etc.
High court inhis order further said that driving through a traffic congested area is tiresome and the same adversely affects the health of one and all. There is not only waste of fuel, but it also pollutes the environment. Haphazard parking of vehicles, encroachments on roads, absence of civic sense and lack of strict enforcement of traffic Rules, all lead to traffic congestion.”
After perusing the status reports filed by the authorities, the court directed the authorities to involve all the stakeholders in the preparation and implementation of the long-term vision plan.
It further clarified that the said long-term vision plan would also encompass all such procedures and suggestions which in addition may be required to regulate and manage traffic in Kullu and Manali.
Sanjay Dutta, an engineer by qualification but is a journalist by choice.
He has worked for the premier new agency Press Trust of India and leading English daily Indian Express.
With more than a decade of experience, he has been highlighting issues related to environment, tourism and other aspects affecting mountain ecology.
Sanjay Dutta lives in a village close to Manali in Kullu valley of Himachal.
