2025.04.04 (Vrindavan Today News): Barsana, the city of Laadli ji (Radharani) witnessed a tense standoff on Tuesday as local residents staged protests against the persistent traffic congestion on Jaipur Temple Road. Frustrated by the unregulated movement of vehicles, villagers gathered at the Tehiya Mohalla intersection, raising slogans and blocking access to the Jaipur Temple. However, their demonstration was swiftly dispersed by the police.
The villagers voiced concerns over unauthorized toll collection, questioning how parking receipts were being issued despite the official parking contract having expired. This issue has fueled resentment among residents, who believe that vested interests continue to exploit the situation.
A Sacred Town Struggles with Gridlock
Under the leadership of Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, Barsana has been granted the status of a pilgrimage site. As part of the state government’s initiatives, a ropeway has been introduced to facilitate devotees’ access to the Radha Rani Temple. Despite this, a significant number of pilgrims continue to travel by vehicles up to Jaipur Temple, exacerbating congestion in the town’s narrow lanes.
The impact of this unregulated traffic is most pronounced in areas such as Yadav Mohalla, Tehiya Mohalla, and Jatav Mohalla, where long queues of vehicles frequently bring daily life to a standstill. On numerous occasions, children have been injured in minor accidents due to the dense traffic.
Law enforcement authorities maintained that no official directive had been issued to restrict vehicle movement on Jaipur Temple Road. “We have not received any orders from higher authorities to impose restrictions. Without official approval, access cannot be denied,” stated Arvind Kumar Nirwal, the station in-charge of Barsana Police Station.
Local leaders and residents, however, remain unconvinced. Hiralal, a local resident, revealed that multiple petitions had been submitted to both the District Magistrate and the police station, yet no concrete action had been taken. Former BJP Mandal President Ranveer Thakur strongly advocated for a complete ban on vehicle movement on Jaipur Temple Road, asserting that the chaos is unacceptable for a religious town of such significance.
Padam Fauji, a representative of the town’s chairman, confirmed that a formal request had been sent to the District Magistrate to enforce restrictions on four-wheeler traffic. Furthermore, a proposal to address the issue is set to be presented in an upcoming board meeting.
A Larger Concern: The Parking Controversy
Compounding the issue is the question of parking management. The Rajasthan Government’s Devasthan Department recently allocated ₹2 crore for Jaipur Temple’s infrastructure, yet parking facilities remain grossly inadequate. Despite the lack of designated parking areas, a contract was awarded for vehicle parking, raising serious concerns about its legitimacy and execution.
As the town of Barsana continues to attract pilgrims and tourists, addressing the growing traffic crisis has become imperative. With local authorities under pressure to respond, the onus now lies on the administration to implement sustainable solutions that balance religious tourism with the well-being of local residents. Until then, the battle between devotees’ access and villagers’ right to a congestion-free environment remains an unresolved and pressing issue.
