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Urban Traffic Congestion and Its Environmental Consequences in Kalimpong Municipality, Kalimpong: Towards Sustainable Transport Strategies

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Author Affiliations

  • 1Department of Geography, Nagar College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India
  • 2Department of Geography, Nagar College, Murshidabad, West Bengal, India

Res. J. Language and Literature Sci., Volume 12, Issue (3), Pages 1-6, June,19 (2025)

Abstract

Due to rapid urbanization, population growth, unplanned settlement and road construction, urban traffic congestion has arrived as an important transportation problem in many towns and cities. Kalimpong municipality, located in Kalimpong-1 C.D. Block of Kalimpong district, West Bengal is also facing such challenges. The rapid urbanization, population growth, hilly topography, seasonal tourist flow has led to increase in traffic which results serious effects on environment and human health in this area. This paper investigates the main causes and impacts of traffic congestion on Kalimpong municipality and surrounding areas. With the help of primary data collection through traffic survey and necessary secondary data, it has been found that double parking, road reblocking, road checkpoints, rush hours, frequent accidents and malfunctions are some major causes of traffic congestion that leads to severe air pollution, noise pollution, greenhouse gas emissions, reduction of green spaces, and serious health issues in this municipality. To reduce such problems, the study give emphasis on sustainable transport management strategies such as adoption of electronic vehicles, congestion pricing, efficient traffic management, implementation of penalties for double parking, limitation of heavy vehicle movement during peak hours etc. Moreover, local government, policy makers and community involvement should act jointly to make the balance between urban growth and environmental preservation and achieve a sustainable and environment friendly transportation system.

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