Where is the parking space? Gandhibagh, Itwari, Central Avenue hotbeds of traffic congestion

 

DESPITE carrying the tag of a Tier-2 city, Nagpur’s traffic can compete with any metropolitan city. Each day, hordes of vehicles swarm on Nagpur roads, occupying every bit of space available. The number of vehicles is bulging at an alarming pace bringing with it plethora of problems -- of pollution, traffic snarls and the biggest headache of lack of parking space. It is an everyday worry for vehicle owners and an unending puzzle for town planners and civic authorities. As the lack of parking facilities become a significant issue which needs urgent attention, ‘The Hitavada’ yet again highlights the problem areas and the factors responsible for the worsening parking situation in the city. Even as The People’s Paper brings to fore this nagging issue, it also questions the one-dimensional policy of towing away vehicles parked along the roadside when there is no designated parking place for those cars and bikes and scooters.

 

And the question remains: WHERE IS THE SPACE TO PARK? Footpaths are being used to park two-wheelers and also four-wheelers (in many areas). Roadside is being used to station vehicles in marketplaces and in busy areas housing medical facilities. Playgrounds have turned into parking bays. Reason? Rigid policies and absence of co-ordinated efforts among agencies. There are suggestions of doing away with footpaths and turning it into parking places. But it is still not a viable solution. As the city grows and vehicle count rises menacingly, the basic question comes screaming; Where is the space to park?

 

 

Traffic congestion in the city’s commercially crucial area – Gandhibagh, Itwari and Central Avenue - has always been a hot topic of discussion, with many users highlighting the hardship they face on the overcrowded roads. The narrow lanes and internal roads of the markets portray an even more gloomy picture with no place to park. Located in the heart of the city, these areas witness arrival of thousands of buyers and sellers every day not just from the district, but also from adjoining places, including Bhandara, Gondia and Wardha. The area is a place for wholesale and retail markets for cloth, foodgrain, medicines, hardware, electric goods, and what not. The famous sarafa bazar, grocery shops, and stationary stores are also located in the area, which attracts two-wheelers, cars, taxis, autorickshaws, pickup vans and even trucks carrying goods.

 

Further, a couple of schools and colleges are also located in the densely populated localities leading to traffic congestion. Problem points Heavy flow of traffic on Central Avenue, especially at Mayo Hospital Chowk, Gitanjali Talkies Chowk, Agrasen Chowk, and Shahid Chowk, near Sarafa Bazar, Itwari, Maskasath and other markets give a tough time to all. Now, as the commercial activities are rising every passing day, these spots have become choke points, slowing down vehicle movement. In addition, ongoing construction work of a flyover connecting Panchpaoli to Dighori, haphazard parking and lack of civic sense among the citizens is further worsening an already existing traffic problem. Though Traffic Police and civic authorities are working to manage the situation, nothing seems to be working on the ground. Traffic congestion is a complex issue, which needs a holistic approach. The coordinated efforts from various Government agencies, traders’ bodies, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and citizens can certainly produce encouraging results. Promod Sedani, President of the Nagpur Itwari Kirana Merchants’ Association, said traders and even customers are bearing the brunt of heavy traffic congestion on Shahid Chowk to Machhi Bazar road up to Sunil Hotel. “It becomes very difficult for every one to commute on the road. Moreover, there is no footpath on the stretch, which poses big threat to life of citizens.

 

I think the presence of Traffic Police at strategic location, especially from 5 pm to 8 pm, will bring down the congestion to a large extent,” he said. Highlighting the plight of commuters, Past President of Nag Vidarbha Chamber of Commerce, Nilesh Suchak said that ‘unplanned’ construction of flyovers is the main cause of worry for the traders as well as people visiting the markets. “As the authorities have blocked the stretch for constructing Panchpaoli to Dighori flyover, the traffic flow has been diverted to other roads. But even before completing this flyover, the authorities have now started work of Shanti Nagar to Central Avenue flyover. This is creating havoc in the area,” he said. Many commuters, while interacting with ‘The Hitavada’, said hawkers occupying roadside area, lack of parking facility, entry of heavy vehicles, and encroachment by traders are some of the major factors affecting the traffic.