Eleven points where local markets create a mess have been identified

A day before Dhanteras, the rush at local markets across the National Capital is at its peak, and commuters are finding it hard to get through the narrow lanes. The jams on the roads leading to the markets such as the popular Kamla Nagar, situated near Delhi University, are a horror story for those thronging here to buy utensils, jewellery, silver coins, clothes, decorative items, flowers, diyas and accessories for Diwali. Hawkers and vendors with their shops on either side of the road for long stretches and people creating chaos while being on a shopping spree makes it extremely difficult for vehicles to wade through. This market is also situated near residential colonies, where the haphazard parking is also a problem for the local residents.

A shopper said, “Authorities need to resolve parking issues in residential colonies, encroachment and consequent traffic congestion in markets like Kamla Nagar.” Another such market is also in the Govindpuri area where the weekly market, where day to day items are sold at affordable prices, on Wednesday creates a complete breakdown of traffic, making it extremely hard for not just vehicles but pedestrians to move.

Further exacerbating the issue, are the encroachments by vendors who set up their shops on the roadsides, and the consumers who lead to limited space on the road for free flow of traffic on a street which is situated close to Govindpuri metro station and residential apartments.

“I live in Govindpuri extension and every Wednesday, the roads that are already narrow due to encroachments and parking on the roadside become even worse. There are vendors with their shops and the customers are standing on the roads making it very hard to move,” an office goer said.

Another commuter added that the increased presence of e-rickshaws also adds to the misery. “There are so many in such a small stretch that they jam the entire road on a day when there is barely any space for even a pedestrian to move around,” he added, stating that when he comes back from office around 9 pm, it becomes a nightmare to pass through the area.

As per the Delhi Traffic police, 11 such points have been identified in the city where these markets create a chaos with vehicles getting stranded or moving at a snail place. In the Eastern range, they said in the areas of Mother Dairy, Road No. 57, Pusta Road, and GTB Hospital Red Light these issues are prominent.

“There is a weekly market in Mother Dairy while due to heavy vehicular movement of Jagatpuri stone market on Road No. 57 in Shahdara, the traffic problem arises,” a traffic cop said, adding that traffic congestion is also present due to Gandhi Nagar Cloth market in Pusta road and markets are on that route of GTB hospital red light point.

In the Southern range, on BP Marg (Kotla red light to Andrewj Gunj signal) commercial shops (timber and hardware shops) which are located on both sides of the carriageway. “People come to purchase the items and park their vehicles on the roadside as there is no other option of parking,” he added. Presence of local markets in Aurobindo Marg (Adhchini Village) and IGNOU Road (IGNOU cut to Z-more) also created traffic jams in the southern range of the city.

In the Western range of the city, heavy footfall in local markets in areas of Uttam Nagar Terminal to Old Palam Road on Najafgarh Road, Road No.201 in Madhu Vihar to Rajapuri on Sector 3/13 Crossing and Phirni Road Najafgarh.