Where is the parking space? Perennial congestion in Gittikhadan market due to no parking facilities

 

 

 

City’s Gittikhadan Square, a bustling hub of retail activity, has become a telling example of traffic mismanagement. The place is a mix of shops, ranging from sweets and snacks outlets to fruit sellers, daily needs stores, and stalls offering puja and ritual items. Residents of nearby localities, frequently visit Gittikhadan Square for their daily errands, as it the nearest market where they get everything in five minutes. Hence, the area draws large crowds, particularly during festive season, but the absence of designated parking facilities has left residents, customers, and commuters with perennial congestion.

 

During festivals, the problem aggravates. Shopkeepers often extend temporary stalls on the roadside to sell idols and festive items, further reducing the already narrow road space. Vehicles parked in an unorganised manner outside shops take up half the road, forcing buses, cars, and two-wheelers to jostle for movement in the remaining stretch. Regular commuters pointed out that traffic slows down during peak hours and during festive season. “Customers already know there is no parking here. Many prefer walking if they live nearby, unless they have something heavy to carry back home. Others leave their vehicles some distance away, often in front of someone else’s shop where there is more space,” explained one shopkeeper. On rare occasions, traffic police are seen keeping a watch, but regular enforcement remains absent. The issue is not confined to Gittikhadan.

 

A similar, though relatively less chaotic, situation exists at Jafar Nagar, near Anant Nagar. In the evenings, the locality’s eateries and food stalls draw steady crowds. While a broad space infront of these shops allows some space for parked two-wheelers, problems arise when four-wheelers and autorickshaws form a second row of parking, forcing commuters to squeeze through the leftover space. Shop-owners at both localities acknowledge the problem but stress that they have not been allotted parking space for their businesses. Many say they make an effort to guide customers to park properly, though it becomes nearly impossible during peak hours. At Jafar Nagar, coordination is somewhat manageable because of the wider road, but at Gittikhadan, the rush during festive season makes it unworkable. For residents, these two local markets remain indispensable.

 

They are the go-to places for daily essentials, festive shopping, or even a quick snack, but without parking management, the convenience of the markets is fast being overshadowed by the frustration of congestion. Creation of small, designated parking lots within walking distance of the markets, strict regulation of temporary stalls during festivals, and roadside space reserved for quick drop-offs rather than long halts, would balance business needs with traffic discipline.