In a significant move to tackle severe traffic congestion during the ongoing wedding season, Nainital Police has introduced a new system allowing families in Haldwani to hire uniformed police personnel for managing traffic and crowd movement around their wedding venues.
New Guidelines for Smoother Celebrations
The fresh guidelines issued this week come as a response to increasing complaints about routine gridlocks caused by slow-moving baraats and guest vehicles on busy stretches. Nainital SP (crime) Jagdish Chandra confirmed that families hosting weddings can now formally request police personnel from local stations through a payment equivalent to the staff member's daily salary.
"We want families to enjoy their weddings, but we also want to ensure their festivities do not infringe upon the rights or convenience of the general public," Chandra stated, emphasizing the balanced approach behind the new measures.
How to Hire Police Personnel for Your Wedding
Families interested in availing this service must write to the SSP office with specific details including their banquet hall information and the date of the event. The police department has streamlined the process to ensure proper coordination and deployment.
"Those who need assistance can hire personnel through paid deployment or engage private security or their own volunteers for traffic management," the SP added, providing multiple options for families to choose from based on their requirements and budget.
Strict Regulations for Wedding Organizers
Alongside the paid personnel option, the guidelines outline clear responsibilities for wedding organizers, DJ operators, and venue owners. Police have enforced a strict 10 pm deadline for DJs and amplified sound under court orders, and clarified that "any obstruction to regular traffic by a procession would count as a violation."
The regulations specifically prohibit vehicle-mounted DJs and decorative lighting powered by generators if these extend onto or disrupt the roadway. Officials pointed out that such equipment often causes bottlenecks on narrow and crowded routes, creating significant traffic challenges.
Families have been strongly urged to minimize the time and distance that baraats spend on main roads, keeping most celebratory activities within the venue premises. Police noted that slow-moving processions have repeatedly blocked arterial roads and delayed emergency vehicles, with complaints rising sharply during the current wedding season.
Enhanced Security and Parking Measures
In additional security measures, banquet halls and baraat ghars have been instructed to install full CCTV coverage and complete mandatory police verification for all permanent and temporary staff. Venue owners must also ensure adequate internal parking arrangements.
"Vehicles spilling onto public roads due to lack of space will be treated as a breach of the order," police warned, indicating strict enforcement of parking regulations.
Officials reiterated that all measures aim to balance smooth civic movement with the heightened activity of the wedding season, ensuring that celebrations can proceed without disrupting the daily lives of other citizens.
