SSP’s traffic drive a 1-day wonder, illegal parking, vendors return

A day after SSP Lucknow Kalanidhi Naithani’s anti-encroachment drive at Patrakarpuram, Husadia, Tedhipulia and Engineering College crossing, encroachment and irregular parking returned to these places. Commuters faced the usual traffic chaos and struggle even on Sunday.

For better traffic movement in the city, the SSP had led an anti-encroachment drive in various localities on Saturday. During the inspection, he directed removal of makeshift shops and irregularly parked vehicles which were eating into road space and causing traffic snarls.

On Park Road, he even suspended a traffic constable for ignoring his duty to manage traffic.

A day after the drive, TOI did a reality check only to find that the SSP’s action was a oneday wonder. Encroachment and haphazard parking had returned to all prominent crossings and commuters were back to facing traffic congestion.

TEDHIPULIA

Maddening traffic returned here, thanks to encroachment by makeshift vendors and haphazard parking of both private and public transport. TOI spotted commuters stuck in traffic jam even on Sunday owing to the congested roads. “It is so chaotic.

I heard the SSP had led a drive but the scenes here tell a different story,” said Aditya Tiwari, an MSc student.

PATRAKARPURAM

TOI found that people had learnt no lesson as vehicles were parked anywhere on the road. Bikers of online food delivery companies have turned Patrakapuram walkway into a parking lot. Vendors were also spotted occupying much road space. “These online delivery company drivers are creating a mess here. They must be provided with some parking space,” said Seema Vishwas, a homemaker.

ENGINEERING COLLEGE CROSSING

Chronic traffic jams were back here, owing to haphazard parking and makeshift shops. Vehicles were parked in a haphazard manner and autorickshaws were occupying half of the road. “Police personnel are deployed here but still traffic violators are going unchecked. Taking a wrong turn is right here, it seems,” said Sarvesh Yadav, a guard.

HUSADIA CROSSING

Owing to wider roads, Husadia, compared to other trisections, did not suffer as much. However, irregularly parked vehicles and encroachment were spotted by TOI at several places. Locals complained of routine traffic jams.

“I feel a multi-level parking is the need of the hour for Husadia. People have a tendency to park vehicles randomly,” said Gaurav Chabbra, a shopkeeper.