The Nainital hotel industry has warned of a protest over police restrictions on vehicles travelling towards Nainital and Kainchi Dham, saying the measures are reducing tourist traffic and hurting local businesses.
Registration is underway for devotees visiting Kainchi Dham. At the same time, police are stopping vehicles heading towards Nainital. Local traders say weekends were important for business, but fewer tourists are now arriving because of the restrictions.
Hotel association objects to vehicle restrictions
Hotel Association president Digvijay Singh Bisht described stopping vehicles as wrong. He also rejected comparisons between Kainchi Dham and the Char Dham pilgrroutes.
According to Bisht, devotees travelling to the Char Dham visit the shrines at the end of the route. Kainchi Dham, however, is connected to roads leading onward to other parts of Kumaon, he said.
Bisht said the route is a national highway and that restricting vehicle movement could affect businesses across the Kumaon region. He said the impact would extend beyond hotels to other traders who depend on tourist movement.
Traders propose parking facility
Local business operators say they are sitting idle and facing financial pressure because of the reduced tourist flow. They have proposed creating parking facilities 3 kilometres from the highway as an alternative arrangement.
The hotel association is affiliated with the Uttarakhand Hotel Association. Its members are preparing for a protest, although the supplied information does not specify a date, location or form for the planned action.
The dispute centres on how traffic should be managed for visitors to Kainchi Dham while keeping the Nainital route and the wider Kumaon connection open. The association has called for an arrangement that addresses visitor management without stopping vehicles on the highway.
Conclusion
Hotel operators and other traders say vehicle restrictions near Kainchi Dham and Nainital are damaging tourism and weekend business. They are preparing for a protest and have suggested parking 3 kilometres from the highway.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q. What is the dispute about?
The dispute concerns police restrictions on vehicles travelling towards Nainital and Kainchi Dham.
Q. Who has opposed the restrictions?
Hotel Association president Digvijay Singh Bisht has opposed stopping the vehicles.
Q. Why does the association object to comparing Kainchi Dham with Char Dham?
Bisht said Kainchi Dham is on a route that continues to other parts of Kumaon, unlike a pilgrroute ending at the shrines.
Q. What impact do traders say the restrictions are having?
They say fewer tourists are arriving, weekend business has been affected and local operators are facing financial pressure.
Q. What alternative have the traders suggested?
They have suggested a parking facility 3 kilometres from the highway.
Q. What are the traders planning next?
The traders are preparing for a protest, but no date or location has been provided.
