Valsad grapples with traffic woes

VAPI: A citizen's group in Valsad has urged the authorities to temporarily stop new registration of auto- rickshaws until adequate parking facilities are not made in the town.
Valsad is grappling with severe traffic problems with rickshaws being a major contributor to the chaos.
At a Lok Darbar held in the presence of deputy inspector general (Surat range), Hasmukh Patel, statistical data reflecting the severe lack of parking facilities vis-a-vis the registration of vehicles in the last 10 years was revealed by a group of senior citizens.
According to the data, against nearly 17,000 rickshaws there is no official parking facility provided by concerned authorities in the district.
Besides auto rickshaws, the data also shows against for nearly 48,000 private light motor vehicle in thte district, mostly on urban roads, only two parking stands having a capacity of 200 vehicles are operational.
In a letter sent to additional chief secretary SK Nanda, the senior citizens council said that due to lack of parking or pick up stand facilities, rickshaw drivers are using the roads leading to serious traffic problems.
Natubhai Shah, member of the council said that, they have been pressing for solutions to the current traffic problems at police lok darbars since many years.
Vapi, Valsad, Umbergaon and Pardi, which are commercial towns of the district, are lacking in road connectivity as against the actual number or running vehicles.
Besides rickshaws, long queues of trucks are also seen on the main roads connecting these towns.
"Until a proper parking facility is made, the only solution to the current problem is banning the registration of public vehicles like rickshaws and taxis temporarily," said Mangubhai patel, member of the council.