Dharamsala, Sept 13 — The Dharamsala administration has launched a new parking system, banning roadside parking on major city routes and requiring vehicles to use designated yellow-striped zones. The move aims to decongest busy roads and improve traffic discipline, officials said.
The order was issued by District Magistrate Hemraj Bairwa following recommendations from a joint committee that included the SP, Municipal Commissioner, Additional SP, and SDM, who reviewed the city’s Integrated Traffic Management System (ITMS).
Road stretches where parking is now prohibited include Education Board to Degree College Chowk, Chilgadi Bifurcation to Khanna Clinic, Kachhari Chowk to Bharat Optical, Hanuman Temple to HPCA Stadium, KCC Chowk to Police Line, Baba Medical Store to Charan Bazaar, Maximus Mall to Kali Mata Temple, Kotwali Bazaar to Indrunag Temple link road, Red Cross Chowk to Sheela Petrol Pump, and Dari Bypass to Dari Post Office, among others.
Two key roads have been converted into one-way routes: Khanna Clinic to Hotel Centre Point, and Kanya Vidyalaya Depot Bazaar to BSNL District Court Complex.
Bairwa clarified that vehicles engaged in emergency services or maintaining law and order will be exempt from the restrictions. He also outlined the implementation plan: the Public Works Department will install one-way indicators within two weeks, the Municipal Corporation will mark yellow-striped parking zones within three weeks, and a detailed parking management plan will be prepared in four weeks. The Superintendent of Police will submit monthly compliance reports.
“This initiative has been taken to decongest busy roads, improve public convenience, and ensure better traffic discipline,” Bairwa said, adding that the order will remain in force until further notice.
