Absence of adequate traffic monitoring on Press Enclave Road near Haji Abbas Park opposite Max Hospital is causing distress to commuters. The road space has apparently been encroached by a large number of auto body repair shops, where vehicles are parked for service and repairs. These illegal repair shops effectively block one carriageway leaving very little motorable room.
The cars parked for overhauling at Haji Abbas Park and Gandhi Park on Press Enclave Road is the primary reason for the traffic gridlocks in the area. Traffic crawling at snail’s pace triggers bottlenecks. The malaise not only affects the locals of Malviya Nagar but even those commuting to Saket, Tughlakabad, Sangam Vihar, RK Puram, Okhla, Kalkaji and Govindpuri. Besides, the increasing numbers of vehicles, limited road infrastructure and shrinking parking space have drastically affected smooth vehicular movement.
“The authorities are mute spectators to the rush hour logjam and illegal parking in the area. We have to navigate through garages to reach our designated place. Off the kerb reckless bikers further increase the probability of accidents,” said Sheikh Qayoom Madni, a resident of Malviya Nagar.
The residents of Hauz Rani and Khirki villages often resort to illegal parking due to parking space crunch. Moreover on weekends, visitors to Select CityWalk or Max Hospital too park their vehicles arbit in order to save time and money.
To curb this menace, Delhi Traffic Police recently launched a special drive against illegal encroachments on the 11 corridors for demolition of structures across the city. The drive against the unauthorised vendors, hawkers, street food joints, automobile mechanics, and old car sellers in the 11 corridors include Malka Ganj to Jahangirpuri, Maharani Bagh to AIIMS Chowk, lajpat Nagar to Maa Anandmayee Marg to Mehrauli, among others. Interestingly, the areas identified by police leaves out the tricky stretch from Haji Abbas Park to Gandhi Park.
“Penal action will be taken against the trespassers. In a recent crackdown on these encroachments in Vikaspuri, Road No. 41 and Vikas Marg, we have flattened 263 illegal structures, challaned 193 vehicles, removed 111 vehicles and impounded 17 vehicles,” said Joint Commissioner of Police (Traffic) Anil Shukla.