J&K imposes odd-even rule in Gulmarg to ease traffic pressure

SRINAGAR: The J&K govt Tuesday announced an odd-even traffic system in famous tourist destination Gulmarg to reduce congestion and ease pressure on the hill resort that has a parking capacity for about 1,500 vehicles but has been receiving more than 6,000 vehicles a day.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 50,000 after his vehicle 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 will be allowed to enter only on odd-numbered calendar days, while those ending in even digits will be allowed only on even-numbered days.The restrictions will remain in force from 8 am to 8 pm 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 Aug 5. 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 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.It said that a comprehensive meeting in this regard was held with all the departments concerned on June 23 wherein it was suggested that vehicular traffic need to be restricted in the Gulmarg area.