Roadside vendors causing traffic jams on Pathankot-Mandi NH

Ravinder Sood 

Palampur, March 7

Several fruit and vegetable vendors have encroached upon the Pathankot-Mandi highway at several places, leading to traffic snarls and fatal accidents. 

Many of them have also set up permanent stalls. The situation is the worst near the Radha Swami Satsang stretch. However, the authorities concerned are yet to initiate action against the offenders.

The situation along the highway between Nagrota Bagwan and Palampur is no different as several vendors have taken over various spots. This is proving to be a hindrance to the smooth flow of traffic as people tend to stop anywhere to make purchases. 

The National Highway Authority of India (NHAI), which is custodian of the road, and local authorities, including the police, are yet to take steps against these unauthorised vendors. The vehicular traffic is severely impacted during the peak hours.

One can see dozens of vendors sitting along the highway at Malan, Darang, Paror and Pharehar where long queues of vehicles have become a common sight. Vendors selling masks, general goods, clothes, blanket, carpets, room cleaners, helmets and other sanitation products are a recent addition to the ever-growing roadside population of vendors.

At Paror, a number of vendors have set up stalls on the blind curve over the railway bridge, leading to accidents. 

Residents claim that the number of street vendors occupying the highway has increased significantly in recent months.

“The traffic problem is constantly aggravated by these roadside vendors. This issue must be looked into at the earliest to avoid any further inconvenience,” said local resident Romesh Sood.