Over 6,000 vehicles a day, parking capacity for just 1,500; Jammu and Kashmir introduces odd-even rule in Gulmarg
SRINAGAR: With Kashmir’s famous tourist destination Gulmarg having parking capacity for about 1,500 vehicles but receiving more than 6,000 vehicles a day, the Jammu and Kashmir government Tuesday announced an odd-even traffic system to reduce congestion and ease pressure on the hill resort.
Officials said it is the first time such traffic restrictions have been introduced at any tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said traffic violations have also become a growing concern at the hill station.
They said some visitors have ignored regulations, and last week authorities fined a driver Rs 50000 after his vehicle scorpio was seen driving on the Gulmarg Golf Course.
Tariq Hussain, chief executive officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), said the restrictions will take effect on July 5.
Under the order, entry of all four-wheeled vehicles into Gulmarg will be regulated according to the last digit of their registration number.
Hussain said vehicles with registration numbers ending in odd digits-1, 3, 5, 7 and 9-will be allowed to enter only on odd-numbered calendar days, while those ending in even digits -0, 2, 4, 6 and 8-will be allowed only on even-numbered days.
The restrictions will remain in force from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.
For the time being, he said, freight and goods vehicles will be exempt.
Hussain said the measure will be implemented on a trial basis for one month, from July 5 through August 5.
He said the authorities will assess its impact on traffic management, environmental conditions and visitor convenience in coordination with the police, traffic authorities and other departments before deciding whether to continue the system.
The order directs the traffic police, civil police, motor vehicles department and other enforcement agencies to ensure its implementation.
The GDA order justifies the regulations stating that the unprecedented increase in vehicular traffic entering Gulmarg has resulted in congestion, deterioration of ambient air quality, excessive noise levels pressure on limited road infrastructure, obstruction to emergency services, degradation of public spaces, and adverse impacts on the fragile alpine ecosystem and visitor experience.
Officials said it is the first time such traffic restrictions have been introduced at any tourist destination in Jammu and Kashmir.
Officials said traffic violations have also become a growing concern at the hill station.
They said some visitors have ignored regulations, and last week authorities fined a driver Rs 50000 after his vehicle scorpio was seen driving on the Gulmarg Golf Course.
Tariq Hussain, chief executive officer of the Gulmarg Development Authority (GDA), said the restrictions will take effect on July 5.
Under the order, entry of all four-wheeled vehicles into Gulmarg will be regulated according to the last digit of their registration number.
Hussain said vehicles with registration numbers ending in odd digits-1, 3, 5, 7 and 9-will be allowed to enter only on odd-numbered calendar days, while those ending in even digits -0, 2, 4, 6 and 8-will be allowed only on even-numbered days.
The restrictions will remain in force from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. each day.
For the time being, he said, freight and goods vehicles will be exempt.
Hussain said the measure will be implemented on a trial basis for one month, from July 5 through August 5.
He said the authorities will assess its impact on traffic management, environmental conditions and visitor convenience in coordination with the police, traffic authorities and other departments before deciding whether to continue the system.
The order directs the traffic police, civil police, motor vehicles department and other enforcement agencies to ensure its implementation.
The GDA order justifies the regulations stating that the unprecedented increase in vehicular traffic entering Gulmarg has resulted in congestion, deterioration of ambient air quality, excessive noise levels pressure on limited road infrastructure, obstruction to emergency services, degradation of public spaces, and adverse impacts on the fragile alpine ecosystem and visitor experience.
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