No end to traffic chaos in CM’s Karnal city

Parveen Arora

A lack of proper parking space, haphazardly parked vehicles and encroachments on roadsides are contributing to traffic chaos in Chief Minister Manohar Lal Khattar’s Karnal city.

Most of the markets and roads in the city remain chock-a-block with traffic throughout the day, giving a harrowing time to commuters. Even traffic police personnel are finding it hard to deal with the situation.

Local residents and commuters have a tough time, particularly outside schools and colleges, when caught in traffic jams caused by vehicles haphazardly parked by students. The chaos on roads worsens in the afternoon after schools and colleges close. The situation is pathetic in the Karan Gate market, Kunjpura Road market, Old GT Road market, Mughal Canal market, and the old vegetable market, which witness frequent traffic jams.

Residents blame the district authorities for poor traffic management. They say barricades have unnecessarily been set up at the Mahatma Gandhi Chowk, Ambedkar Chowk, Mughal Canal Chowk, Clock Tower Chowk, and the Nehru Palace Chowk, compounding the woes of commuters travelling long distances.

After barricades were put up, roads leading to the bus stand, Dyal Singh College, Old Police Lines, NDRI, Hospital Chowk, and the railway station have become congested, resulting in frequent traffic jams. 

“Poor planning by the local authorities is also contributing to traffic congestion on various roads of the city. Instead of erecting barricades at various chowks, the authorities should have installed traffic lights so that people are encouraged to follow traffic rules,” says Harsimran Wadhwa, president of JCI Karnal Agile. 

Guru Prasad, district chairman of the Haryana Medical Representatives Association, says that the district authorities have failed to develop sufficient parking spaces in the city, and as a result, residents park their vehicles in a haphazard manner. “There is need to develop traffic sense among commuters also,” he adds. 

It becomes difficult for commuters to pass through the Mughal Canal market during daytime, as car accessories traders have encroached upon roadsides. The market witnesses frequent traffic jams, says Nishant Kumar, another resident.

Renu Bala Gupta, Mayor, says that the issue of barricades at various chowks has come to her notice and she will talk to the Deputy Commissioner and the Superintendent of Police in this regard. She adds that the Karnal Municipal Corporation (KMC) has been developing more parking spaces for commuters.

Rajiv Mehta, Commissioner, KMC, says that they are focusing on developing parking spaces under the Smart City project. “The proposed markets of Mughal Canal phase-II and III have been designed in such a manner that parking will be in the basement, while the shops will be on the first floor,” he adds.

Khattar had also announced a multi-storey parking at the old vegetable market site. After the existing city bus stand is shifted to a new site, the KMC will develop a parking facility there. There will also be a parking facility at the site of the old building of the KMC.

Nishant Kumar Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner, says that barricades were installed at various chowks on a trial basis after taking feedback from people during a road safety meeting. “We will review the situation and barricades will be removed if not required any longer,” he adds.

“We have asked the KMC to get the Mahatma Gandhi Chowk redesigned for smooth flow of traffic. Once the work is completed, we will reopen the road,” says Yadav.

We are focusing on developing parking spaces under the Smart City project. The proposed markets of Mughal Canal phase-II and III have been designed in such a manner that parking will be in the basement, while the shops will be on the first floor. — Rajiv Mehta, Commissioner, Karnal Municipal Corporation

Barricades have been installed at various chowks on a trial basis after taking feedback from people during a road safety meeting. We will review the situation and barricades will be removed if not required any longer.— Nishant Yadav, Additional Deputy Commissioner