Nainital: Every year, especially during Christmas and New Year, the picturesque lake city of Nainital turns into a nightmare for tourists as vehicles get stuck in hours-long traffic jams. To put an end to this decades-old problem once and for all, Kumaon Range Inspector General of Police Dr. Riddhim Aggarwal has launched a groundbreaking initiative. All major parking lots in the city are being connected to an Intelligent Traffic Monitoring System with real-time updates, developed in collaboration with IIT Roorkee.
IG Riddhim Aggarwal said, “Traffic congestion has always been the biggest challenge in Nainital. The primary reason is the lack of proper monitoring of parking spaces. Tourists enter the city without knowing whether parking is available, and when lots get full, vehicles end up blocking roads. This will no longer happen.”
Five key parking areas — Metropole, DSA, Ashok, Sukhatal, and Russian Bypass — are being integrated into the new smart system. A technical team from IIT Roorkee has already begun installing high-tech sensors. Work at DSA and Ashok parking lots has been completed, while the remaining sites will be finished within this week. A full trial run will start before Christmas so that the system can be fully operational for the peak season on December 25 and December 31.
How the Smart System Will Work
Sensors are being installed at the entry and exit points of each parking lot. These sensors will automatically count every vehicle entering and leaving. The system will instantly calculate remaining capacity and send real-time availability data to the police control room. Based on this live information, police personnel posted at city entry points will guide or divert incoming tourist vehicles. If all parking lots are full, vehicles will be stopped at the outskirts and redirected to alternative routes or outer parking zones.
The IG further revealed that Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras have already been installed at all entry routes to Nainital — including Kainchi, Bhutia Padav, Tallital, Mallital, and Russian Bypass. These cameras are collecting daily data on the number of tourist vehicles entering the city. Once linked with the new parking sensors, the combined system will predict and prevent congestion even before it occurs.
Special Facilities for Tourists This Festive Season
Keeping the Christmas and New Year rush in mind, the police have made several additional arrangements:
- QR codes will be placed on main roads and lanes. Tourists can scan them to instantly check parking availability, navigation routes to the lake, Mall Road, and other tourist spots.
- Specially trained Tourist Police teams will be deployed across the city.
- Additional police force from neighboring districts will be called in 10–15 days in advance.
- Home Guards and PRD jawans will assist regular traffic police.
IG Riddhim Aggarwal stated, “Our goal is to ensure tourists enjoy the beauty of Nainital without any hassle. With this smart technology, we expect to reduce traffic jams by 70–80 percent.”
For millions of visitors planning to celebrate Christmas and ring in the New Year by the serene Nainital Lake, this new system is nothing short of a game-changer. The days of being stuck in traffic for hours just to reach the lakeside are finally coming to an end. This festive season, Nainital promises to be smoother, smarter, and more beautiful than ever before.
