Rishikesh – Traffic congestion in Rishikesh has become a persistent issue, with weekends witnessing severe gridlocks across the city. On Sunday, major roads, including the Rishikesh-Haridwar highway, Bypass Road, Indramani Badoni Chowk, Bhadrakali Temple Check Post, and Chandrabhaga-Ram Jhula-Tapovan route, saw long queues of vehicles, worsening by evening. Commuters faced hours-long delays due to the heavy traffic.
The lack of traffic management in this religious and tourist hub has raised serious concerns. Encroachments on internal roads, unorganized parking, and unchecked movement of transport vehicles have exacerbated the problem. Lajpat Rai Marg, Jhanda Chowk, Triveni Marg, and Railway Road are particularly affected by haphazardly parked vehicles outside shops, further disrupting smooth traffic flow.
Despite repeated assurances, traffic police enforcement remains largely ineffective. Officials often claim increased patrolling and strict action, but on-ground efforts remain insufficient.
Traffic to Worsen on Shivratri –
On February 26, the Mahashivratri festival is expected to bring a massive influx of devotees to Neelkanth Mahadev Temple, further straining traffic at Swargashram, Muni Ki Reti, Lakshman Jhula, and Neelkanth Road. With no concrete traffic plan in place, congestion could reach critical levels.
The administration’s inaction in managing Rishikesh’s traffic woes has been evident for a long time. Without immediate interventions, the city’s road network risks complete breakdown. The question remains—how long will residents endure the worsening traffic chaos caused by official negligence?
