With the onset of summer, Dehradun’s popular tourist spots have started drawing large crowds, especially on weekends and holidays. One such hotspot, Guchupani — also known as Robber’s Cave — witnessed a massive influx of visitors this Sunday, leading to severe traffic congestion in the surrounding areas.
According to local officials, over 7,100 tourists arrived at Guchupani on April 20 to enjoy a picnic and escape the rising heat. The route from Garhi Cantt to Guchupani was packed with vehicles, moving at a snail’s pace for most of the day.
Visitors reported long travel times due to bumper-to-bumper traffic, and many had to wait for hours before reaching the cave area. The jam didn’t just impact tourists — local residents in the area also faced inconvenience, with several getting caught in the gridlock.
“It was a beautiful day to visit, but the traffic took away a good part of the fun,” said Nikhil Sharma, a tourist from Delhi. “We spent more time in our car than at the picnic spot.”
Authorities managed to clear the congestion by late evening once the tourist rush began to decline. Local vendors near Guchupani, however, saw a boost in business and welcomed the footfall.
Officials have hinted at deploying traffic control measures for upcoming weekends and holidays to manage the growing number of visitors. Plans include temporary diversions and increased traffic personnel to prevent bottlenecks.
As temperatures continue to rise, more tourists are expected to flock to the natural attractions around Dehradun. The administration is urging visitors to plan their trips during off-peak hours and follow parking guidelines to help ease the burden on local roads.