Long weekend rush triggers massive traffic jam between Haridwar-Rishikesh in Uttarakhand

Rishikesh: Heavy tourist inflow owing to the long weekend led to a 30-km traffic jam between Haridwar and Rishikesh on Friday with vehicles moving at a snail’s pace, informed officials. The long weekend began on Thursday with Ambedkar Jayanti followed by Good Friday and Saturday and Sunday. According to officials, the jam stretched Har-ki-Pauri in Haridwar to Lakshman Jhoola in Rishikesh, a distance of around 30 km. Dehradun traffic director Mukhtar Mohsin said heavy crowds were expected due to the long weekend that began with Ambedkar Jayanti on Thursday and adequate arrangements were made. However, the tourist footfall exceeded the expectations upsetting all arrangements, he added. Meanwhile, the Chardham yatra in Uttarakhand will begin in the first week of May and a heavy influx of devotees is expected to visit the state as the annual pilgrimage will take place without any restrictions for the first time in two years since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. Read all the Latest News , Trending News ,  Cricket News , Bollywood News , India News and Entertainment News here. Follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.