Nurpur chokes on its own traffic

Roadside parking in Nurpur’s main markets has become a daily nuisance, turning traffic movement into a constant struggle. Known for attracting a steady flow of visitors from surrounding areas for shopping and official work, the town now battles routine traffic jams caused largely by idle and haphazard parking.

During peak hours, the problem becomes acute. Narrow market roads, already under pressure from heavy footfall, are further choked by two-wheelers and light motor vehicles parked along the roadside for hours — sometimes all day.

Key congestion points include Upper Chogan market near Himachal Gramin Bank and Punjab National Bank, as well as Dunga Bazar near the old employment office. Vehicles entering from the Pathankot–Mandi National Highway’s Chogan side often face long delays due to bottlenecks in these areas.

The situation is worsened by the collapse of the one-way traffic plan introduced to ease congestion. Initially implemented with strict enforcement, the system now operates in name only, with frequent violations going unchecked. Poor coordination between the police, the Municipal Council (MC) and the district administration has left the plan ineffective.

Adding to the crisis, the MC has yet to identify adequate designated parking spaces for two-wheelers and light vehicles. Without such facilities, motorists resort to parking wherever space appears — regardless of the disruption caused.

With enforcement lax, coordination poor and infrastructure inadequate, Nurpur’s busy markets remain gridlocked. Unless authorities take decisive steps — from creating proper parking zones to reviving strict one-way traffic enforcement — the town’s traffic troubles are likely to continue, frustrating both residents and visitors alike.