Illegal parking by private buses near Yashwant Stadium adding to chaos in business area

 

 

 

In a brazen violation of norms, private buses engaged in passenger travel are operating right under the noses of officials in heart of the city. Now the daring of operators have increased manifold that they have started parking buses in periphery of Yashwant Stadium in Dhantoli-Sitabuldi area adding to chaos in the business area of city. Apart from creating obstacles in movement of traffic, the plying of buses through city roads has increased risk for the road users. Recently a private bus operator opened an office at Yashwant Stadium whose ownership rests with Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC).

 

And since last fortnight, three to four buses are daily parked on the Y-shaped road near the Patwardhan Ground. The road is meant for bisecting traffic flow in direction of Munje Square and towards Mehadia Square but right now stands converted into illegal parking lot. Already, city buses are parked at Patwardhan Ground and now due to COVID-19 there is slight relief from traffic snarls or otherwise during peak period the continuos shuttling of city buses would create innumerable problem for road users. During last two days, Traffic Control Branch of Nagpur city police swung into action and issued challan for movement of private tour operators buses in city limits. Sarang Awad, Deputy Commissioner of Police, Traffic Control Branch, told The Hitavada, that as per extant policy movement of private tour operator buses are not allowed within limits of Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC). But as State has not provided separate parking space for these private buses, same are parked by road side throughout the city.

 

The traffic police have time and again issued challans to deter the owners from bringing the buses inside city. The Public Interest and Legal Cell of Maharashtra Navnirman Sena (MNS) recently met Prakash Warade, Assistant Commissioner, Dharampeth Zone, NMC, regarding difficulties faced by citizens due to parking of buses around Yashwant Stadium. The delegation led by Iqbal Rizwi, President, Public Interest Cell, Nagpur District unit, demanded immediate action to ban parking of buses on city roads. Sometimes back, NMC too had taken keen interest in banning movement of private operators buses within city limits. However after series of meeting the civic committed failed to resolve the issue. The committee had held extensive consultations with all stake holders but its report is yet awaited. Till then private operators continue to ply through busy city roads adding to already chaotic traffic.