Ravi Nagar Square Gridlocked AsPvt Buses, Food Stalls Clog Road

Nagpur: A key junction on the busy Amravati Road stretch has turned into a daily choke point, with residents around Ravi Nagar Square alleging rampant illegal parking, roadside encroachments, open urination and growing commuter chaos.Residents claimed that the situation near the Ravi Nagar bus stop has worsened over the past several months, particularly due to private vehicles and buses being parked along the roadside, reducing road space during peak hours. Rajendra Deshmukh, a local resident, alleged that private cars are routinely parked beside the bus stop while touts openly look for passengers travelling towards Amravati. "Private cars and buses are parked on the road next to the bus stop. This is causing traffic jams and also resulting in losses to MSRTC. The problem has persisted for months, but authorities are yet to take action," Deshmukh said.Locals said traffic jams have become a routine at the Ravi Nagar square during office and college hours as students take the same route to reach NU campus. Residents alleged that haphazard roadside parking by buses and private vehicles has now become a big nuisance.Apart from traffic congestion, residents also raised serious concerns over sanitation and pedestrian safety between Bharat Nagar Square and Ravi Nagar Square. "There is an urgent need for a mobile toilet on the stretch. People openly urinate right beside eateries, creating stink and hygiene issues," said another resident, Kavita Shah.She further pointed out that despite barricading and mesh fencing partially, people continue urinating in the area. "Traffic also gets hampered because of roadside stalls. It becomes dangerous for pedestrians to walk on the road," she added.Residents said the foul smell around eateries and roadside establishments has become a persistent problem, particularly during evenings, while blocked footpaths force pedestrians onto the main carriageway amid heavy traffic movements.A senior traffic police official, when contacted, acknowledged the issue and said action would be initiated. "We will deploy a unit to ensure there is no nuisance caused by illegal parking of buses, hawkers and other encroachers," the officer said.Residents demanded sustained enforcement drives, removal of encroachments, proper parking regulation and improved public sanitation facilities, stating that temporary action alone would not resolve the worsening civic and traffic disorder around Ravi Nagar Square.