Mussoorie, Oct. 20 -- The Mussoorie administration is preparing to install Automatic Number Plate Recognition (ANPR) cameras at two locations and automated hydraulic bollards at three entry points to regulate traffic and prevent unauthorised vehicle movement on Mall Road during pedestrian-only hours. Sub-divisional magistrate Rahul Anand said officials from departments concerned had conducted a joint on-site inspection of the promenade to identify suitable locations for the installations. "We have conducted an on-site joint inspection of the promenade to identify the most effective vantage points for the installation of cameras at two places and bollards at three places. We will be sending the report to the transport department by Monday," Anand said. The enforcement plan is being implemented in compliance with directives of the Uttarakhand high court. Under the proposed plan, ANPR cameras will be installed near Garhwal Terrace and Padmini Niwas. The cameras, equipped with optical character recognition technology, will capture high-resolution images of registration plates of moving vehicles. This will enable municipal and police personnel to identify violators and issue penalties for speeding, jumping signals and driving against designated traffic flows, officials said. The main focus of the deployment is to prevent unauthorised vehicles from entering Mall Road during the daily vehicular ban, which remains in force from 4.30 pm to 10 pm. "The need for such a move arose after it was observed that unauthorised drivers routinely bypassed manual cordons, creating chaotic traffic conditions during rush hours," Anand said. He said three automated hydraulic bollards would be synchronised to physically block the thoroughfare during restricted hours while allowing an automated bypass mechanism for critical emergency service vehicles. The administration is also examining alternate routes to address wider vehicular bottlenecks in Mussoorie. Officials will conduct a safety and technical survey of the Kolhukhet-Jharipani route to assess whether it can handle heavier commercial traffic. Officials said further steps would be taken to divert heavy vehicular movement away from congested inner roads after the feasibility report is finalised. The exercise will complement the surveillance upgrade planned for Mall Road. Residents have welcomed the move, saying the installations could help curb erratic vehicular movement during restricted hours. Bijendra Singh, a senior citizen and resident of Library Bazaar, said, "On several occasions, miscreants have broken the lone barricade on Mall Road and sped away in their vehicles, endangering the lives of pedestrians. Such bollards have therefore become imperative as a preventive measure, while the automatic high-tech cameras will help identify the perpetrators."...