Himachal Traffic Volunteer Scheme Attracts 218 Enrollments Across State
In a significant development for road management in the hill state, the Traffic Volunteer Scheme-2025 has successfully enrolled 218 volunteers from across Himachal Pradesh over the past five months. This initiative, designed to regulate traffic flow and enhance safety, has seen participation from all 15 police districts except the summer capital, Shimla.
District-Wise Participation Highlights
The scheme has witnessed varied engagement levels across different regions:
- Kangra district emerged as the frontrunner with an impressive 65 volunteers signing up, demonstrating the highest community involvement.
- Hamirpur followed with 20 volunteers, showing substantial local support for the traffic management effort.
- Other districts contributing significantly include Solan with 19 volunteers, Baddi police district with 16, Bilaspur with 15, Dehra police district with 14, and Kullu with 11 volunteers.
Additional participation came from Mandi (6 volunteers), Lahaul-Spiti and Nurpur police district (3 volunteers each), while Chamba, Kinnaur, and Sirmour each reported between 10-11 volunteers.
Scheme Details and Honorarium Structure
According to DIG (Traffic, Tourism and Railway) Gurdev Chand Sharma, the volunteer cohort includes approximately two dozen women participants, highlighting gender-inclusive engagement. Volunteers receive an honorarium of Rs 30 per hour, with a maximum monthly payment cap of Rs 3,040.
"The volunteer scheme was launched keeping in view the festive season," stated DIG Sharma. "A volunteer can work a maximum of four hours in one day. Largely, we are taking their assistance during peak hours in the morning and evening."
Background and Recent Modifications
Originally launched in 2023 as a non-mandatory initiative, the scheme underwent proposed revisions last year to boost participation. DGP Ashok Tewari suggested lowering the minimum age from 18 to 16 years and increasing the honorarium from Rs 15 to Rs 50 per hour to attract younger volunteers.
A police officer involved with the program noted, "This time we received the results. Later, the details of the proposed changes were shared on social media along with a helpline number for interested citizens to enroll."
Tourism Context and Shimla's Absence
The scheme's timing aligns with Himachal Pradesh's substantial tourism influx, with the state welcoming 2.60 crore tourists in 2025, including approximately 83,000 foreign visitors. Despite this tourist pressure, Shimla notably reported zero volunteer registrations, raising questions about local engagement in the capital.
The Traffic Volunteer Scheme-2025 primarily aims to alleviate traffic congestion during peak tourist seasons, improve overall road safety standards, and ensure smoother vehicular movement for both residents and visitors across the mountainous terrain.
