Almora. A signature campaign was launched by traders in Dharanaula and Chaughanpata demanding that the Quarab road be opened 24 hours a day for all types of vehicles. Traders and local citizens from different areas actively participated in the campaign and extended their support through signatures.
According to traders, the Quarab road is the lifeline for Almora and Bageshwar districts. Due to its damaged condition and irregular operations, traders, transporters, hoteliers, and the general public are facing severe difficulties. Business has been directly affected, and with no permanent solution for the past year, public anger is steadily increasing.
During the signature campaign, District General Secretary Bhairav Goswami, former Municipal Chairperson Shobha Joshi, District Minister Ashu Goswami, Deputy Secretary Ashish Bharti, Councilor Anoop Kumar, Panchayat Member Jaman Singh, Paritosh Joshi, Darshan Kumar, Councilor Deepak Kumar, former Councilor Kishan Lal, former Councilor Hem Tiwari, Deepak Sah, former Superintendent Engineer Sabuddin, and several others were present. All demanded decisive action on this issue in one voice.
The trade association has announced that the next phase of the signature campaign will be held on Sunday in NTD and Sarkar Ki Aali areas. Following this, a torch procession will be organized on Monday, starting from the Nanda Devi premises and moving up to Paltan Bazaar.
Traders have warned that if the issue is not resolved soon, they will be compelled to announce a market shutdown. District President Sushil Sah stated, “If a solution to the Quarab road is not reached, we will be forced to close markets and protest, and the entire responsibility will rest with the administration and the government.”
The Bageshwar Trade Association has also extended full support to Almora’s movement. They emphasized that Bageshwar’s entire economy is connected to the Quarab route, and prolonged disruptions have pushed traders, transporters, and hoteliers into a severe crisis.
Local traders further stated that tourism has also been badly impacted. Due to road issues, tourists are reluctant to visit Bageshwar, which has hurt not only local businesses but also the overall economy of the region.
Trade body officials have issued a clear warning to the administration and government that if no concrete steps are taken in public interest, the movement will escalate further. They said that traders and the general public will be forced to take to the streets over this issue.
Public representatives and officials have been urged to prioritize the matter and find a permanent solution to ensure Quarab road remains operational 24 hours a day, providing much-needed relief to traders and citizens alike.
In summary, traders have delivered a strong message to the government and administration that any further delay will not be tolerated. If an immediate solution is not implemented, the responsibility for a market shutdown and intensified protests will lie entirely with the authorities.
