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Tribune News Service
Solan, July 11
Long traffic jams, especially in the peak tourist season, have become the order of the day at the Garkhal junction near Kasauli, where five roads converge.
No expansion of the roads has been taken up for several decades and vehicular movement has increased multifold in the past three decades.
It is the main junction connecting the hill town of Kasauli. Those who have constructed summer houses in the area also use the route.
Managing traffic in the area has become a herculean task for policemen too as the narrow route was not even sufficient to allow two vehicles to cross with ease. The drivers of big tourist buses, which ferry students from various educational institutes of neighbouring Punjab, often find it difficult to negotiate this junction while travelling to Kasauli.
Trucks carrying industrial goods from the state’s industrial hub of Baddi-Barotiwala-Nalagarh also use this route and are often seen stuck in long jams in the late evenings.
Emergency vehicles such as ambulances and fire tenders also find it difficult to negotiate the line of vehicles.
“The never-ending vehicle s’ rush on the route has made it difficult for the elderly and sick to rest. Constant honking by impatient motorists further add to woes, said Prem Kumar, a resident.
In view of hardships faced by motorists due to the non-expansion of roads, the NGT had directed the state government to decongest this junction in October last year. The government has, however, failed to initiate any such measure and this despite its tall claims of promoting tourism in the state.
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