Rampant roadside parking in Baramulla causes frequent traffic snarls

Baramulla, Aug 24: Despite the Baramulla district administration's efforts to streamline traffic and provide a designated parking lot at the Baramulla market, the irresponsible behaviour of some residents continues to cause significant inconvenience to the public.

Many drivers continue parking their vehicles haphazardly on the roads, especially at Tehsil Road Main Chowk, Karyappa Park road, Kanlibagh-Sangri road, leading to frequent traffic snarls and frustration among commuters.

The parking lot, which was recently made operational after a prolonged wait, was expected to alleviate the town’s chronic traffic congestion. However, the situation on the ground has not changed and has turned rather worse.

Scores of vehicles, including two-wheelers and four-wheelers, can be seen lined up along the roadside, ignoring the parking facility provided by the administration.

Local residents have expressed their frustration, calling for strict action against these habitual offenders. "It took us a long time to get a proper parking space in this town, but it seems some people have no regard for rules. They continue to park their vehicles on the road, causing immense hardships to everyone else," said Fayaz Ahmad, a concerned resident.

“Earlier, we used to plead for a car parking lot. When the administration fulfilled our demand and designated a space for the car parking, some persons continued to park their vehicles in an irresponsible fashion on roads and by-lanes. There is no logic in the illegal car parking now. The practice shows our irresponsible behaviour,” said Naseer Ahmad.

The local residents, frustrated over the practice, are urging the authorities to issue challans and enforce penalties against those who refuse to use the designated parking area. "The police should take stringent action against such violators. If there is a parking lot available, there is no justification for parking on the road and obstructing traffic," said a local resident.

The situation at Tehsil Road Main Chowk, Kanlibagh-Sangri road, is particularly worrisome, where the careless parking of vehicles has become a daily nuisance.

Locals here believe that the only solution to the problem is stern action against the violators. Besides, those civil society members including the traders federation Baramulla who strived for the allotment of car parking lots in the town should start public awareness.

"People need to understand that using the parking lot is not just a matter of convenience, but a civic responsibility,” said Fayaz Ahmad, a civil society member.