Auto-rickshaws on Railway Road add to traffic chaos

Tribune News Service

Nikhil Bhardwaj

Ludhiana, March 1

Railway Road, once offering a smooth ride to the commuters, now finds itself in the grip of chaos and disorder. The cacophony of honking horns, the maze of encroachments by shopkeepers and roadside vendors, and the unchecked flow of auto-rickshaws have transformed what should be a thoroughfare of convenience into a battleground of frustration.

During a visit to the road, it was observed that a major reason for the traffic chaos on Railway Road was the rampant encroachment by shopkeepers and roadside vendors. Stretching their stalls and merchandise onto the roads, they not only obstruct the smooth flow of vehicles but also create hazardous conditions for pedestrians.

Shopkeepers initially started displaying goods by setting up small stalls on the roads but it later turned into a major obstacle for the smooth flow of traffic.

Adding fuel to the fire is the unregulated flow of auto-rickshaws that flood the Railway Road every day. Not only this, the auto-rickshaw drivers resort to reckless driving and unauthorised halts to pick passengers, creating bottlenecks that bring traffic to a grinding halt. The sheer number of auto-rickshaws jostling for space exacerbates the congestion, turning every commute into a nerve-wracking ordeal.

Earlier, traffic police and the Municipal Corporation had carried out an anti-encroachment drive on the Railway Road which had improved the situation for a few days but no permanent solution could be found.

Shopkeepers on Railway Road said that due to the unregulated flow of auto-rickshaws, footfall of customers has also declined as clients are not able to find space to park their vehicles near the shops. Some shopkeepers had also extended their stalls on the road causing traffic bottlenecks.

Commuters said they daily get stuck in the traffic jam on Railway Road and the problem is not new, rather it has existed for years. Immediate action should be taken so that commuters can enjoy a smooth ride, they said.

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