Roadside parking a major traffic woe in Nurpur
The rampant roadside parking of two-wheelers and light vehicles in the markets of Nurpur town has become a severe hindrance to smooth traffic movement, resulting in frequent traffic jams. Day-long and round-the-clock parking has significantly narrowed market roads, creating bottlenecks, especially at hotspots like Upper Chogan Market near Himachal Gramin Bank, Punjab National Bank, and Dunga Bazar near the old employment office.
The situation has been exacerbated by the apparent inaction of local police and civic administration. Visitors entering the town from the Pathankot-Mandi National Highway’s Chogan side for shopping or official work face significant delays during peak hours due to congestion caused by idle parking.
In November 2023, the Kangra district administration had implemented a one-way traffic rule in Nurpur, which was strictly enforced from December 1. However, this measure failed after three and a half months when police personnel deployed at the town’s entry and exit points were reassigned for Lok Sabha election duties in March 2024. The rule was never reinstated, leading to its complete disregard by commuters.
A lack of coordination between the local administration, Municipal Council (MC), and police has been cited as a primary reason for the failed traffic management plan. The MC did not allocate designated parking spaces for two-wheelers near markets, adding to the chaos.
Nurpur, a historical town with narrow market roads originally designed for pedestrians and cyclists, now faces severe congestion due to idle parking and shopkeepers placing goods on roadsides.
Rakesh Kumar, a resident of Upper Chogan, urged the police to conduct random checks to prevent idle parking on market roads. Dr Vipon Mahajan, another local, expressed frustration over the administration’s failure to reinstate the one-way traffic rule despite repeated reminders. “The notification issued under Section 113 of the Motor Vehicle Act has become meaningless without proper enforcement by the police,” he added.
The situation demands immediate action, including coordinated efforts by the police, MC, and district administration to identify and develop parking spaces, remove idle vehicles, and restore the one-way rule. Without intervention, Nurpur’s traffic woes will only worsen, impacting the town’s residents and visitors alike.
