Dharamshala, May 7: Thousands of commuters remained stranded on roads for hours in Kangra district on Pathankot – Mandi and Dharamshala – Delhi National Highway on Sunday evening following rush of devotees from different parts of Punjab who had arrived here to attend satsang of Dera Beas at Parour near Palampur in this region.
It was said that there were about two lakh visitors have arrived here to attend the satsang. Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jairam Thakur too attended this spiritual event on Sunday. Devotees had started gathering two days before and have to their native places today.
“We have made ample arrangement to manage the traffic but there was a huge rush of devotees which has added to the inflow of other visitors to this region during this peak tourist season” said Santosh Patial, Superintendent of Police at Kangra.
National Highway connecting Pathankot – Mandi and Dharamshala – Delhi remained choked for hours starting from 4.00 in the evening to late hours till 8.00pm.
Essential services including ambulances, fire brigades were also stucked. Local residents were worst affected as there were many who do jobs in outside state and had to return for joining their offices on Monday.
“I work in a corporate sector in Delhi. It was too tough to catch the bus from Kangra bus stand. It is ok for men, but being a girl it is very difficult during such situations” said Megha Kumari, a resident of Mator village near Kangra.
Spiritual event at Dera Beas in Parour started on Wednesday and concluded on Sunday. Almost every year during such gatherings the arrangement made by the local administration fails to cop up with the rush.
Source Times Of India
