“Tourists Must Not Get Stuck in Long Jams”: Uttarakhand CM Dhami Rolls Out 3-Tier Plan, Helicopter Services for Monsoon Season

Dehradun: In a bid to tackle the growing traffic woes in popular tourist destinations of Uttarakhand, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami on Friday laid out the government’s comprehensive plan to ease congestion and improve travel infrastructure across the state. Speaking to reporters, CM Dhami said, “We are also working on three types of plans so tourists do not get stuck in long traffic jams—short-term, medium-term, and long-term schemes. We are constructing bypasses. A proposal to construct elevated roads at two places in Dehradun has been put forward. The problem of Kainchi Dham is also becoming a big problem because the number of tourists there is rising. We are working on that too. Wherever necessary, we will seek the Indian government’s cooperation too. We have reviewed the helicopter service before the rains. This service will run regularly in the coming season.”

The Chief Minister’s statement comes at a time when the Char Dham Yatra season is drawing thousands of pilgrims to the Himalayan state, causing increased traffic congestion in places like Haridwar, Rishikesh, Dehradun, and especially Kainchi Dham, which has seen a surge in devotees following global attention. With roads often blocked during peak seasons, the state government’s plan focuses on easing bottlenecks through strategic bypass construction, the introduction of elevated roads in key urban locations, and the review and regularization of helicopter services, particularly during the monsoon.

The mention of Kainchi Dham as an emerging hotspot for traffic buildup highlights the growing challenge the administration faces. Located near Nainital, Kainchi Dham has become a magnet for spiritual tourism and sees exponential footfall during special occasions. Dhami’s remarks reflect the urgency to create new access routes and crowd control strategies to manage the site effectively.

To further strengthen the initiative, CM Dhami confirmed that proposals have already been prepared for infrastructure development, including the elevation of two major roads in Dehradun city, a measure expected to divert significant vehicular load away from densely populated areas. He also reiterated the need for central government cooperation in executing large-scale transportation projects that require additional financial and technical resources.

The assurance regarding helicopter services is aimed at ensuring uninterrupted travel for pilgrims and emergency response teams, especially during the rains. With past instances of landslides and roadblocks, regular chopper services could serve as a lifeline for stranded tourists.