Next time you plan to visit the Sarojini Nagar Market, think twice before using your vehicle. Construction activities by Delhi Metro surrounding the market has taken away a major parking space in the area spelling woes for the motorists. Not only the traders and visitors but also the local residents are facing troubles. With the automated multi-level parking serving no purpose, vehicle owners are left with no option but to jostle for parking space on roadsides.
Most visitors lamented that there was no parking space left for them. “The automated multi-level parking is useless. It takes over 20 minutes to take the car out of it. The surface parking space has been taken away. Further, the illegally parked vehicles create traffic jams,” said Swati Madan, who had visited the market.
The barricades that have been put up on four sides have also been resulting in traffic jams in the area. The parking area in D-avenue has almost reduced to half which has added massively to the woes of the traders in area.
“There is no parking space. A major portion of the road has been blocked due to the barricades. It creates inconvenient for people visiting the market here. Common people have been affected. In case of emergency it becomes difficult to reach the spot. It is also very difficult for the movement of goods vehicles. Sales have begun to drop,” said Jaspal, a shopkeeper in the market.
Pramod Sharma, president of the Sarojini Nagar Traders’ Association, said, “The Delhi Metro construction has spelt traffic and parking problems. Due to a lack of proper parking arrangement, people end up parking their vehicles anywhere on the road which has aggravated the situation.” “It is not only customers who are affected but also the shopkeepers who have to bear the brunt. People have been avoiding coming to the market which is affecting our business,” he added.