Latur's growing traffic needs better parking and traffic planning in markets, says report

The number of vehicles in Latur city is rising, business transactions have increased and the city's limits are expanding. For these reasons, traffic management has become more important than before. But managing the city's traffic cannot be limited to fine-based action by the traffic police. The municipal corporation, the traffic police and other departments concerned will have to work together.

Vehicle movement is heavy around the city's major squares, markets, educational institutions, hospitals and commercial complexes. Where parking arrangements are inadequate at such places, vehicles are left by the roadside. As a result, space on the road shrinks and traffic is affected. If arrangements are not proper during the morning and evening rush, people's time is wasted. Ambulances, fire engines and vehicles of other essential services can also be obstructed.

Some suggestions have been made to improve the situation. A traffic survey of the city's main squares should be conducted. Where needed, one-way traffic, authorised parking zones, no-parking areas and separate paths for pedestrians should be set up. Responsibility for parking arrangements should also be fixed on commercial complexes. If Latur is to move towards becoming a smart city, its traffic management should also be smart.

Fines alone will not solve the problem of congestion. It is essential that the municipal corporation, the traffic police and the departments concerned devise measures together. City traffic could become much easier if there were traffic planning for peak hours, control of encroachments, parking arrangements and a separate route for essential services.

Adequate parking needs to be built around the city's main markets, commercial complexes, educational institutions and hospitals. Without separate space for parking, people have to leave their vehicles by the roadside, which slows down traffic. The municipal corporation needs to plan and build parking.