In another major move that would enhance road connectivity and facilitate the movement of tourists, the Uttarakhand Public Works Department (PWD) has given its go-ahead on the widening of the busy Nainital-Bhowali road to the tune of 1.12 crore. The roadway, which has been characterized by road blockages and long lines of cars during the high season of tourists, shall soon be expanded in order to offer better and quicker transportation.
The Nainital Bhowali road is a very important road in the Kumaon region as it connects Nainital and various important sites of this region, such as Bhimtal, Almora, Bhowali, and Mukteshwar. It is a road used by thousands of tourists annually during summer seasons, long weekends, and even holidays. The road is very narrow at various places, thus it is always congested, leading to delays that take up to hours during the peak season. There are also concerns regarding safety and accessibility on the route by the residents of the area or people commuting to work on the route daily.
The officials believe that the 1.12 crore project will be dedicated to expanding the busiest parts of the road so that two-way traffic can pass the road easily. The project will reinforce the surface that is there, cutting into sections of the hillside where possible, and enhancing curves that are now restrictive to visibility. According to authorities, the road will be safer, more stable and able to withstand more traffic volumes without bottlenecks once it is completed.
One of the greatest beneficiaries of this upgrade is expected to be the tourists. The expanded road will assist in cutting down on the amount of time spent travelling between Nainital and Bhowali to experience a hassle-free and comfortable time in the mountains. The resultant decrease in traffic congestion will also help in reducing the pollution created by vehicles, as well as road rage or accidents due to congestion in small strips.
The project will also help in enhancing the local economy. Improved connectivity usually leads to increased tourist traffic to hotels, homestays, restaurants, taxi services and small markets along the route. The local traders are of the view that better road conditions will make tourists visit the surrounding destinations without restrictions, hence marketing the whole belt.
According to the indicators of PWD officials, the work will commence shortly, and the temporary traffic deviations are scheduled to occur at any time. The government has promised to take measures to ensure that the construction exercise will not cause much inconvenience to people who travel. The widened Nainital Bhowali road will then be a more efficient, safer, and smoother road for both the tourists and locals, which will further enhance the reputation of Nainital as a very accessible hill destination in Uttarakhand.
