Allahabad: Faced by parking woes, SP Marg traders threaten stir

ALLAHABAD: Distressed over traffic police not allowing parking on Sardar Patel Marg in Civil Lines, which has hampered their business, traders have threatened to close shops after 4pm and hand over the keys to police authorities.
Scores of shopkeepers on Monday staged a road blockade in Civil Lines in support of their demand that traffic police should either introduce paid parking or make alternative arrangements for the customers on Sardar Patel Marg.
They claimed that earlier the traffic police had allowed motorists to park along SP Marg’s third lane, but have now started issuing challans to those coming on four-wheelers.
President of Civil Lines Vyapar Mandal Sushil Kharbanda said: “Last week, the traffic police allowed motorists to park along Sardar Patel Marg’s third lane and gave three or four days relief to customers only. But for the past two days, they have again started issuing challans. As a result, our sales have slumped as customers avoid visiting our shops due to parking problem.”
“Left with no other option, we have mooted a proposal to pull down shutters after 4 pm and hand over keys of the shops to police authorities,” said Kharbanda.
Kharbanda said Sardar Patel Marg has no service lane for parking and customers usually park their vehicles in front of shops. “We have suggested traffic police to launch paid parking to revive business on Sardar Patel Marg but no action has been taken.”
“If both visitors and traders are ready to pay for parking, the district administration and traffic police should have no problem,” he added.
“Since April when the traffic police started issuing e-challans for vehicles parked in front of shops, our sales have slumped 50%,” said another trader.
Traffic Inspector R K Singh said, “We are trying to resolve the issue and would take steps to end the problem.