Ladakh gears up for traffic congestion, parking woes ahead of tourist season

With the tourist season in Ladakh just weeks away, Union Territory officials are intensifying efforts to tackle traffic congestion and the persistent issue of haphazard parking across the region. The inflow of tourists, both domestic and international, typically begins by late April, especially among trekking and adventure enthusiasts.

To streamline mobility and enhance tourist experience, Administrative Secretary of the Transport Department, Ladakh, Bhupesh Chaudhary, recently convened a comprehensive review meeting. The session focused on transport preparedness, enforcement strategies and administrative reforms.

During the meeting, Chaudhary reviewed current enforcement operations and directed Assistant Regional Transport Officers (ARTOs) of Leh and Kargil to implement robust daily reporting mechanisms.

Highlighting the importance of departmental efficiency, Chaudhary emphasised, “The smooth functioning of the department depends on a rational division of responsibilities among officers and staff.” He instructed all teams to adopt a cooperative, task-oriented approach prioritising timely service delivery, especially during the high-traffic tourist season.

Persistent problems such as traffic congestion, illegal parking and obstructed vehicle movement—especially in popular tourist zones—were central to the discussion. Chaudhary ordered immediate action to identify and decongest critical junctions, regulate parking and streamline vehicle flow. “Dedicated traffic personnel must be deployed in congestion-prone areas,” he stressed, adding that proper signage and real-time coordination with police and local bodies are essential for effective traffic management.

Further, Chaudhary reviewed the transport department’s permit issuance system and called for procedural improvements to make permit processing faster, more transparent, and less prone to bottlenecks.

J & K