Union minister Ajay Tamta reviewed congestion around Kainchi Dham and ordered immediate traffic measures. The moves aim to ease pilgrim rush and reduce delays on key Kumaon hill routes.
The minister directed officials to ensure that the Kainchi Dham temple opens at 4 am instead of 6 am.
Dehradun,Oct 11, 2026 22:46 IST
The Uttarakhand government is working on a five-point plan to ease traffic congestion on roads leading to Kainchi Dham, with measures such as developing alternative routes, opening the temple two hours earlier and creating separate entry and exit routes. The plan also includes building a valley bridge at the Bhimtal-Nainital tri-junction and widening the Bhowali-Kainchi Dham road.
Union Minister of State for Road Transport and Highways Ajay Tamta chaired a meeting with officials from the police, Regional Transport Office, National Highways and Public Works Department at the Kathgodam Circuit House on Saturday to discuss congestion at Kainchi Dham and other routes. Expressing displeasure over traffic jams at Kainchi Dham last week, he directed officials to ensure that such a situation does not recur.
Tamta said better traffic management was needed for devotees visiting the temple and asked officials to coordinate with the temple administration. He noted that congestion was also causing trouble for commuters travelling to Almora, Pithoragarh and other hill destinations, and directed National Highways officials to prepare proposals for alternative routes. He asked the Senior Superintendent of Police to divert vehicles heading towards hill destinations via Jyolikot to reduce congestion.
He also directed officials to prepare a proposal for a parking facility on vacant land belonging to a Forest Department nursery near Niglat and to carry out a joint survey with the department. Proposals will also be prepared to widen the Kwarab-Talla Ramgarh road and to develop an alternative route between Kainchi Dham and Hadtappa, he said.
During the meeting, the SSP flagged congestion at the Bhimtal-Nainital tri-junction in Ranibagh. Officials said a valley bridge at the junction could help ease jams caused by vehicles travelling to and from Nainital. Tamta directed National Highways and Forest Department officials to conduct a survey and submit a report. He also said the proposal to widen Gulabghati would be approved soon, after which work would begin.
The minister directed officials to ensure that the Kainchi Dham temple opens at 4 am instead of 6 am. He said the present arrangement, under which devotees use the same route to enter and exit, leads to overcrowding. He asked officials to work with the temple administration to create separate entry and exit routes, with the exit leading towards the parking area, so that traffic on the road outside the temple can be reduced.
Tamta also ordered the immediate submission of a proposal to widen the Bhowali-Kainchi Dham road and asked officials to coordinate with the Forest Department for a survey. He added that tenders for the Gaulapar-Lalkuan bypass had been finalised and the project would be completed within one-and-a-half years. Overall, the meeting focused on a set of road, parking and traffic management measures aimed at easing congestion around Kainchi Dham and on nearby hill routes.
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With PTI inputs