Admin gets limited success in decongesting Paltan Bazaar

The authorities in Dehradun have tried various measures to resolve congestion in the Paltan Bazaar area so far with limited success. As part of such initiatives the police have planned to ban the entry of vehicles including two-wheelers in this busy bazaar which has elicited opposition from a segment of the traders here. However, there are shopkeepers and members of the public who support the planned prohibition on entry of two-wheelers in this market area. It is expected that this plan will be enforced after the festival of Holi.

Increased traffic of two-wheelers apart from the pedestrians and improperly parked vehicles coupled with roadside encroachments result in congested conditions in the Paltan Bazaar area. The situation is worse ahead of festivals when the rush of shoppers on foot combined with the two-wheelers make it difficult even for pedestrians to find adequate room to walk without inconvenience. In order to seek public opinion on the plan to prohibit two-wheelers from the bazaar, the Traffic Directorate of the police has put up a board right in front the Clock Tower which highlights the proposed facilities to be provided after all vehicles are banned from entering the bazaar. Free trolleys, free wheelchairs for the aged and differently abled, two free e-rickshaws in the market, benches to sit at various places in the market and free parking facility for vehicles nearby are proposed to be provided if the vehicular ban is imposed. The public has been asked to sign the board if they support this plan.

The board already carries a number of signatures by people supporting the police plan. However, a segment of the traders maintain their opposition. A shopkeeper Sanjay Sharma told this correspondent that prohibiting even two-wheelers will result in loss in business.

On the other hand, another shopkeeper Jazeed Anwar favoured the planned ban on two-wheelers in the market. He said that even the footpaths have been encroached upon by petty traders who pay up to Rs 500 a day to the shopkeepers to encroach in front of the shops. “Having run this shop here for decades, I have seen conditions here deteriorate due to encroachment and vehicular traffic. I feel that there should be a ban on two-wheelers. Far from causing a loss in business, it will encourage people to visit more often for shopping,” he opined.

A policeman on traffic duty nearby, Ajit Kumar said that the public is enthusiastically giving its opinion on this issue.

Free parking facility at three spots near the Clock Tower is also planned to enable people to walk conveniently to the bazaar.

Another personnel on traffic duty, Om Pal Saini said that people often complain about vehicles causing congestion and accidents in Paltan Bazaar. The police are trying to resolve this problem, he added.