Nainital police have introduced a special traffic plan for the expected weekend and holiday rush around Kainchi Dham, Bhowali and Bhimtal from 24 October to 26 October. The arrangements include route diversions, vehicle restrictions, designated parking and shuttle services for visitors.
All taxis will be barred from entering the Kainchi Dham area during the restricted period. Private and yellow-number-plate 2-wheelers will also not be allowed to travel through the area.
Visitors heading to Kainchi Dham in private vehicles will have to park at designated locations before continuing by local shuttle service. The plan is intended to reduce congestion and keep traffic moving in the busy hill routes.
Parking and shuttle arrangements
Vehicles arriving through the Bhimtal route must be parked at Development Bhawan parking. Visitors will then have to use the local shuttle service to reach Kainchi Dham.
Vehicles coming from Jyolikot, Gaethia and the Nainital route must be parked at the Bhawali Sanatorium parking area. Shuttle services from there will take visitors towards Kainchi Dham.
The traffic plan also places a complete restriction on heavy vehicles from morning 3:00 to night 11:00. Such vehicles will be stopped at the district border during these hours.
Routes for inter-district travel
Vehicles travelling from Almora, Jageshwar, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh towards the plains will be sent through Lamgara, Dhanachuli, Dhari and Khutani Bend before proceeding via Bhimtal.
Vehicles travelling from Haldwani, Kathgodam and the plains towards Almora, Jageshwar, Bageshwar and Pithoragarh will follow the reverse diversion through Khutani Bend, Bhimtal, Dhari and Dhanachuli Bend.
Traffic travelling from Kathgodam towards Ranikhet will be diverted at Khutani Bend. Those vehicles will use the Mukteshwar and Ramgarh routes instead.
Diversion towards Khairna and Betalghat
To ease local traffic, vehicles travelling from Bhimtal, Nainital and Jyolikot towards Khairna, Garampani or Betalghat will be sent through the Doonikhall–Ratighat motor road.
Travellers should therefore account for the designated parking, shuttle transfer and route diversions when planning a visit to Kainchi Dham during the restriction period. The traffic arrangements apply to the weekend and holiday rush identified by Nainital police.
Conclusion
The weekend traffic plan restricts taxis and specified 2-wheelers near Kainchi Dham, requires visitors to use designated parking and shuttles, and diverts inter-district traffic to alternative hill routes through 26 October.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. When will the Kainchi Dham traffic plan apply?
The plan will apply from 24 October to 26 October during the expected weekend and holiday rush.
Q. Which vehicles are barred from the Kainchi Dham area?
All taxis, along with private and yellow-number-plate 2-wheelers, will be barred from the area during the restriction period.
Q. Where should vehicles arriving through Bhimtal be parked?
Vehicles arriving through Bhimtal must be parked at Development Bhawan parking before visitors use the local shuttle service.
Q. Where should vehicles arriving via Jyolikot and Nainital be parked?
Vehicles arriving through Jyolikot, Gaethia and Nainital must be parked at the Bhawali Sanatorium parking area.
Q. What are the heavy-vehicle restriction hours?
Heavy vehicles will be restricted from morning 3:00 to night 11:00 and stopped at the district border.
Q. Which route will traffic use between Kathgodam and Ranikhet?
Vehicles travelling from Kathgodam to Ranikhet will be diverted at Khutani Bend through Mukteshwar and Ramgarh.
