In a bid to alleviate the chronic traffic congestion plaguing the city’s narrow roads, District Magistrate Sonika has approved a new plan for adjusting the school timings of 21 institutions across five major areas. The revised schedule, set to take effect from July 19, aims to stagger the opening and closing times of these schools, impacting over 26,500 students.
The decision follows extensive consultations between the Doon Police and school authorities, resulting in a strategy designed to prevent the simultaneous start and end times for a large number of students. The new timings will range from 7:00 AM to 1:45 PM, and its effectiveness will be reviewed in the first week of implementation.
Area-wise Analysis of Student Pressure and Resources
The Doon Police have thoroughly assessed the distribution of students, parking capacities, and the availability of school buses and vans in each area. The highest concentration of students is in the Rajpur Road area, followed by Curzon Road (Dalanwala) and Subhash Road.
Despite serving a large student population, the 21 schools have only 26 school buses and 123 vans, leaving the primary responsibility of student transport to parents. This contributes significantly to traffic congestion, exacerbated by the limited parking capacity—705 four-wheelers and 1,630 two-wheelers—forcing many parents to park on the streets.
Schools Affected by the New Timings
The following schools will adhere to the new timings:
– Dalanwala area: Brooklyn, Brightland, Doon Blossom School, Carman, Doon International.
– EC Road area: Hill Grange School, Marshall School, Oxford School, and SGRR.
– Subhash Road area: Heritage, St. Thomas, Jaswant Modern, CJM, St. Thomas.
– Rajpur Road area: Pine Hall School, GGIC, St. Joseph’s, Scholar’s Home, and Grace Academy.
– Nehru Colony: Sherwood and Summervalley School.
Future Review and Adjustments
DM Sonika has assured that the impact of this new timing plan will be closely monitored during the first week, with subsequent adjustments to be made based on its effectiveness in easing traffic congestion. The administration remains committed to finding sustainable solutions to the city’s persistent traffic woes, ensuring smoother commutes for all residents.
