Encroachments on roads lead to traffic jams, commuters suffer

During the festival season, the city’s roads have turned into a nightmare for commuters as traffic jams have become a routine affair. Encroachments on roads by shopkeepers, coupled with haphazard parking and rampant commercial activity on footpaths, has brought commuting to a grinding halt.

Commuters, who are at the receiving end, say that they are frustrated with the Municipal Corporation’s (MC) inaction.

“It’s impossible to navigate the walled city areas. The roads in interior city are narrow, and shopkeepers have taken over the footpaths and roads. We’re forced to navigate through crowded streets, wasting hours in traffic,” said Gurpreet Kaur, a local resident.

The walled city areas, including Katra Jaimal Singh, Katra Ahluwalia, and Hall Bazaar, are the worst affected. Haphazard parking, street vendors, and encroachments have reduced road widths. Outer areas like Putaligarh Chheharta also witness severe traffic jams.

Ashok Kumar, another resident, said, “I travel through Putaligarh and Chheharta daily, and the traffic jams are unbearable. The area’s growth has led to increased commercial activity, but the infrastructure has not been developed proportionately. We need proper parking spaces and traffic management.”

With the festival season in full swing, the situation is unlikely to improve without urgent intervention. Residents have urged the authorities to remove encroachments, create designated parking spaces and implement effective traffic management.

A local businessman, Manjit Singh said, “We pay taxes, but the corporation fails to provide basic infrastructure. The festival season should be a time for celebration, not frustration.”

“The estate wing of the MC often visits the markets and seize some goods, but as soon as they leave the market, the shopkeepers and vendors again encroach the roads and streets,” added Manjit.