No entry for four wheelers in Vrindavan on weekends, festivals
AGRA: To decongest traffic, four wheelers from other districts will not be allowed to enter Vrindavan on weekends and festivals between 9am and 6pm.
The vehicle restriction will be on trial on January 23 and 24. Locals of Vrindavan will be issued passes for movement during these days.
Vrindavan attracts thousands of devotees, especially from the NCR region and Agra who come to visit religious places like Bankey Behari Temple, Prem Mandir and ISKON.
According to a rough estimate, at least 5,000-6,000 additional vehicles visit Vrindavan on weekends and festivals.
City magistrate Mathura, Vijay Kumar said the restriction will be applicable on four wheelers coming from other districts. However, they can park their vehicles outside Vrindavan at specified locations.
“The restriction will be effective on Saturday and Sunday and also on festivals. Four wheelers from Mathura will also be restricted. Locals will be issued passes for free movement on these days,” added Kumar.
Kumar also assured that alternative mode of transport will be arranged for the devotees. Tourists will be provided taxi and mini buses at specified pickup points. However, the restriction will not apply between 9pm and 6am.
The new arrangement is expected to decongest areas like
Raman Reti, Parikrama Marg, Gandhi Marg, Atalla Chungi, Hari Nikunj, Pratap Bazar and Loi bazaar in Vrindavan.
Due to heavy rush in these areas, the district administration also imposed similar restrictions on January 1 this year.
The administration is now working to identify parking points for the vehicles coming from the Delhi-Agra national highway. They are mulling a parking point at Annpurna Parking near Chatikara. They are also looking at options for vehicles coming from the Yamuna Express Way.