Roadside encroachments in Baramulla town hamper pedestrian movement

Baramulla, Nov 10: Baramulla town is grappling with an alarming surge in road encroachment by street vendors, illegal car parking, and unauthorised transport stands, making it increasingly difficult for pedestrians to walk through.

As one walks through Baramulla’s main roads, it becomes evident how the growing number of street vendors and illegally parked vehicles have nearly erased any space for pedestrian movement.

Streets like Main Chowk, Tehsil Road, Jadeed Road, Urdu Bazar, and Sabzi Market are dotted with stalls, e-auto stands, and illegally parked cars, forcing pedestrians to walk in the middle of the road, often risking accidents.

Shams Manknoo, a local civil society member, voiced his frustration at the district administration’s inability to tackle the situation. "Why is the administration unable to solve this issue?" he questioned, echoing the concerns of other residents.

“The town has become increasingly hostile to pedestrians, who now have virtually no space to walk safely,” said Manknoo.

Muhammad Shaban, a resident of Baramulla town highlighted the diminishing space for pedestrian movement on pavements, which have been overtaken by vendors. “The roads are already narrow,” he said. “With vendors on one side and vehicles on the other, there is no room left for pedestrians. Where can people go?”

Shaban’s concern comes at a time when the Baramulla district administration recently designated a space for the car parking at Noor-Ul-Huda market. However, despite the designated car parking space, people continue to park their vehicles illegally on both sides of the road, which affects the smooth functioning of traffic. The locals here have urged the administration to act swiftly against those violators who park their vehicles illegally on roadside instead at the designated car parking slot.

For Bashir Ahmad, another concerned citizen, the issue grows worse daily, with an unceasing influx of vendors encroaching available spaces. “From the Main Chowk to the Tehsil Road, every place is occupied by street vendors and those parking cars illegally,” he said. “It has become a nightmare for common people just trying to walk.”

The few spaces that might have been spared are taken over by unauthorised Sumo stands, e-autos, and illegal parking. "I have never seen the town in such a mess," said concerned Ahmad.