Gittikhadan continues to be a microcosm of urban challenges

 

 

 

The stretch of road from Gittikhadan Square to Gittikhadan Police Station in Nagpur West is known for its busy setting, with commuters moving throughout the day, school buses picking up and dropping off children, and residents visiting fast food outlets, daily needs stores, vegetable and fruit vendors. The area largely supports small businesses, including apparel, furniture, and hardware shops, to grow and sustain due to its location that ensures high visibility among commuters. The area also accommodates a large residential neighbourhood, which is gradually expanding in all directions year after year. However, this otherwise thriving locality faces recurring issues, including road congestion, wrong-side driving, disregard for traffic signals (or malfunctioning signals), on-road parking, lack of strict vigilance by officials, and poor discipline among commuters and shopkeepers.

 

Every day, customers visiting these shops park their bikes and cars along the roadside due to the absence of a designated parking space, along with heavy vehicles like trucks and buses that frequently pass through the area. Residents driving on the wrong side add to the congestion. What should be a wide thoroughfare allowing smooth vehicular flow often turns into a reduced space for commuting. “This road is a place of livelihood for many, but lack of planning has turned it into a spot for regular issues. During festive times, the problem worsens as the number of shoppers and vehicles multiplies,” says Rohit Tiwari, a local resident. Crossing the Gittikhadan Square is a daily challenge as no one here follows traffic signals. Sometimes, the signals do not work, and there are no police deployed here to maintain traffic. One wrong step, and you risk an accident,” says Smita Shende, a homemaker residing nearby. While shopkeepers benefit from the footfall, they are also aware of the inconvenience it causes. Trucks delivering goods to these shops often park on the road.

 

“We understand that parking is a problem, but visitors have no other option as no designated parking space has been provided to us,” admits a shopkeeper who runs a daily needs store. Customers echo similar sentiments over the lack of order. “It is stressful to park here. We are always worried about blocking traffic or a police officer suddenly showing up to ask us to move the car,” said a customer visiting a shop. The festive season from August to November exacerbates the issue, as shops selling puja materials and idols of deities extend their areas by installing temporary tents. Adv Sundeep Badana, who is regularly active in filing PILs of similar issues around this locality, stated, “The encroachment by the permanent shops and the temporary stalls have not only completely blocked the footpaths for pedestrians but have also encroached upon the main roads.

 

All this results from the lack of action on the part of traffic police supported by lack of political will who seem to support the cause of hawkers for their vote bank.” Sanjay Kamble, Enforcement Superintendent, shared, “Whenever we take action, the shopkeepers do initially comply by not extending their shops and ensuring vehicles in front of their shops are not taking up much space. However, this compliance is only temporary. Once the police officials leave, we have no control over what they do. They revert to their old practices. This issue is not limited to Gittikhadan, it happens everywhere else too.” For now, Gittikhadan continues to be a microcosm of urban challenges where development is outpacing planning.