Nakodar roads paint picture of traffic mess

Ashok Kaura

Nakodar, January 16

Traffic chaos is being witnessed at various places in Nakodar, including near bus stand, Ambedkar Chowk, Sabzi Mandi and the Hospital road due to poor traffic police arrangements, wrong parking by vehicle owners and encroachments by shopkeepers.

Shopkeepers have encroached upon a major portion of roads despite government’s instructions to remove illegal encroachments.

Traffic chaos could be seen intensified on every Sunday and Thursday when thousands of devotees from various parts of the state visit religious shrines of ‘Sai Murad Shah’ and ‘Lal Badshah’ in Nakodar.

Pedestrians are also facing inconvenience due to the large-scale encroachments by shopkeepers who have expanded their shops till the middle of roads. Unfortunately, there are hardly any traffic police personnel on these roads to control the traffic.

When contacted, Nakodar SDM Amit Kumar said laying of sewerage lines at few places had created traffic disturbance. However, I would soon consult officials concerned to redress the problems soon.

Assistant Superintendent of the Police, Vatsla Gupta, admitted that were the problem of traffic chaos, illegal encroachments, and violation of rules by some people, but she allegedly held politicians responsible for creating hurdles in the public interest and working of the civil and police administration.

SDM Amit Kumar was of the view to set up an advisory committee by including persons such as representatives of political parties, councillors, police officials, educationists, lawyers, journalists, traders, industrialists in the committee to make Nakodar chaos- free.

Some of the officers and social activists said though the police want to take-up the issue of illegal encroachments to regulate the traffic, the MC staff was not cooperating. The administration, along with the police, has also decided to organise seminar and meetings to spread awareness about illegal encroachments and traffic rules.

It was observed that though administration had issued strict instructions to shopkeepers and rehriwalas to remove encroachments from roads and pavements, but to no avail as politicians are not co-operating at all.

The SDM said erring shopkeepers could face action now as warnings were also given to shopkeepers in the Dakhni Gate, Ambedkar Chowk, Sabzi Mandi, Hospital road, Fountain Chowk, local bus stand and court road areas.

ASP Vatsla Gupta has also appealed to the people not to park their vehicles at busy points to avoid traffic jams.