City markets witness heavy traffic jams due to encroachments amid festive season rush

The start of the festival season has brought a surge of visitors to the city markets, but with it comes the familiar problem of traffic jams. Encroachments on roads and footpaths by vendors and shopkeepers are choking the streets, leaving commuters frustrated. Shopkeepers in the interior markets display their goods on footpaths. Haphazardly parked vehicles, vendors in narrow roads and streets of the walled city add to their woes.

“It has become a nightmare to navigate these markets during the festival season,” said Rohan, a local resident. “The roads are narrow enough already, but when shopkeepers display goods on the roadside and footpaths, it’s impossible to move,” he added.

Areas like Katra Jaimal Singh, Telephone exchange, Katra Sher Singh, Hall Bazaar and Shastri Market are particularly affected, with vendors spilling onto the roads and sidewalks. “I’ve lived in this city all my life, and it’s always the same story during festivals,” said Priya, a commuter. “The Municipal Corporation seems to be turning a blind eye to the encroachments,” she added.

Despite anti-encroachment drives by the MC, residents say they’ve seen no improvement. “It’s all just for show,” says Vivek Singh, a resident of Batala Road. “The officials come, clear out a few vendors, and then leave. But the next day, everything’s back to normal.”

The congestion isn’t just inconvenient, it’s also affecting business. “Customers are hesitant to come to our market because of the traffic. We’re losing sales because of the chaos,” said Rishi, a shopkeeper in Karmo Deohdi. As the festival season continues, residents are calling on the MC to take more effective action. Until then, they’ll have to navigate the crowded streets and hope for a smoother ride.