Festive rush chokes Nagpur roads; residents ask why road closures are the only answer

Markets across Nagpur have grown crowded as the festive season begins. While shoppers are enthusiastic, they are also facing heavy traffic congestion. Instead of smoothing the flow of traffic, the authorities are trying to manage the situation by closing various routes or diverting vehicles, which has added to residents' troubles. Shoppers heading to the markets are being stuck on the roads for hours.

Sitabuldi, Itwari, Mahal, Dharampeth, Sadar and Sakkardara are the main commercial areas of the city. The administration knows well in advance that these areas will draw bigger crowds during festivals, yet no permanent planning is visible. Meetings are held and traffic plans are announced before the festivals, but conditions on the roads remain unchanged.

Itwari and Sitabuldi see a veritable crush of shoppers in the festive season. When goods vehicles, two-wheelers and cars are added to the crowd, road space runs short. A "no vehicle" zone is being suggested as a solution. It has been said that the experiment at New Market in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh, could serve as a guide for Nagpur. There, the entrances to the market were barricaded and the entry of vehicles was restricted to fixed hours. Once the market opens, customers are allowed in only on foot. If a similar arrangement is introduced in Nagpur, the pressure on traffic could ease.

The practice of putting up iron barricades on main roads and closing them in the name of traffic control is now adding to residents' difficulties. When one route is closed, the load of vehicles naturally shifts to another road. Residents feel that closing a road is being adopted as the easy option for smoothing traffic. They ask why closing roads is the only solution.

During the festive season, those who depend on daily commuting suffer the most. They are paying the price in time, fuel and mental stress. Residents are asking how much longer they must put up with this.

The traffic situation around Kasturchand Park is particularly serious. The main roads around and leading to the ground are clogged by the growing pressure of vehicles. Traffic has become snarled in the area, and those who use these roads every day are bearing the brunt.