NEW DELHI: The long-standing traffic congestion on the bustling streets of Sadar Bazar has become a quotidian occurrence, exasperating local traders.
The disgruntled merchants have issued an ultimatum to the traffic authorities, threatening to stage a demonstration if their grievances remain unaddressed.
On Tuesday, Qutub Road chowk was inundated with e-rickshaws, obstructing the flow of traffic and causing inconvenience to commuters.
The roads in the main market of Sadar Bazar were riddled with potholes and broken patches, further aggravating the situation.
MCD’s allocation of a single-lane parking area near Sadar Bazar thana and 12 Tuti Chowk has proven inadequate, as vehicles often spill over to adjacent lanes, worsening the congestion.
The ongoing metro construction work and encroachments by hawkers at Mithai Pul have also restricted traffic movement. The convergence of traffic from Nabi Karim, Paharganj and Idgah Road at Sadar Bazar thana often results in gridlock, causing frustration among commuters and traders alike.
In a meeting with traffic officials on Tuesday evening, the Federation of Sadar Bazar Traders’ Association presented their demands to the traffic authorities.
“We have given them a 15-day ultimatum and asked them to meet our demands. If they don’t, we will hold a demonstration. We have some simple demands, like banning parking on roads, deployment of traffic cops in areas that witness heavy congestion and a separate prepaid auto stand. Also, a WhatsApp group with members from the trading community and traffic authorities should be made,” said federation chairman Paramjit Singh Pamma.
Pamma added, “Sadar Bazar is a historical market, and efforts should be made by the authorities to maintain it. The traffic issue is causing us losses in revenue. With the festive season just around the corner, we can’t afford this.”
The traders attributed the traffic woes to illegal encroachments by hawkers, who occupy a significant portion of the road, hindering free vehicular movement.
Despite efforts by MCD and police to remove them, the hawkers return after paying bribes to the authorities, they claimed. The traders also highlighted incidents of snatching and harassment of women in the market, as well as extortion faced by auto drivers for entry.
A traffic cop assured the traders that the authorities were committed to addressing their concerns and promised deployment of personnel in areas prone to frequent snarls.
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