Photo Source : Social Media
Nainital, June 11, 2025:
What should be a peaceful spiritual journey has turned into a nightmare near Kainchi Dham, as heavy traffic congestion has now cost two lives in the past four days. The revered shrine, dedicated to Neem Karoli Baba, is witnessing an overwhelming influx of devotees ahead of the annual Kainchi Mela, leading to 10-kilometer-long traffic jams, blocked emergency services, and mounting frustration among locals and tourists.
In the latest tragedy, 40-year-old Jagmohan Singh Pinari fell critically ill near Kainchi Dham. The first ambulance sent to help reportedly broke down, while a second was stuck in traffic for over five hours. By the time medical aid reached him, it was too late—he died soon after arriving at the hospital. This is the second such incident, following a similar death earlier this week in Mussoorie due to delayed emergency access.
The traffic bottlenecks have paralyzed major routes between Bhowali, Bhimtal, Nainital, and Kainchi, with roads meant for small hill-town traffic now choked by tourist vehicles, many arriving for the upcoming mela. With pilgrims reporting delays of 3–5 hours, complaints range from lack of drinking water to medical emergencies being ignored. Many also say they’ve seen no proper crowd control despite government promises.
To address the crisis, the Uttarakhand government had introduced a shuttle service starting in March 2025. Visitors were asked to park near Bhowali and Bhimtal and take buses to the temple. However, implementation has been weak. Many private vehicles continue to clog narrow roads, and insufficient shuttles are adding to the chaos. Weekend restrictions on heavy vehicles and additional police deployment have also done little to ease the burden.
Amid public outcry, the Uttarakhand High Court has stepped in, demanding a detailed traffic management plan. The court has asked the state to prioritize uninterrupted ambulance movement and come up with long-term infrastructure upgrades like bypass roads and emergency lanes.
Political leaders have echoed these concerns. Leader of Opposition Yashpal Arya called the situation “unacceptable,” warning that tourism cannot come at the cost of human lives. Locals, too, are demanding permanent solutions as even basic medical access becomes difficult during peak pilgrimage season.
The Kainchi Dham Mela, expected to draw over 1.5 lakh devotees on June 14–15, could further worsen the situation. While faith brings people to this sacred site, the current road infrastructure and crisis management seem unprepared for the growing crowds.
The tragic loss of lives has turned a logistical failure into a public health emergency. If authorities do not act immediately, the roads to Kainchi Dham may soon become known less for peace and blessings—and more for delays, frustration, and preventable loss.
