Nagpur: As the number of vehicles increase and parking spaces shrink, traffic violations with regards to illegal parking are on the rise. With Diwali festivity kicking in and families rushing to the markets, the problem is only getting worse.
In the first 295 days of the year (from January 1 to October 22), city traffic police issued an average of 266 challans per day for illegal parking, registering a total of 78,521 cases under sections 122/177 of the Motor Vehicles Act.This significantly contributed to frequent traffic jams and slow vehicle movement across the city. With 70 days still remaining in the year, the violations are expected to surpass the 88,187 cases recorded in 2023.
A closer look at the data from 10 traffic zones reveals that Sitabuldi, one of Nagpur's busiest commercial areas, leads with 22,305 parking violations. Roads in this zone frequently experience gridlock due to haphazard parking, particularly on turnings, making smooth traffic flow almost impossible. Cotton Market, with 11,922 cases, and Sonegaon, with 9,637, face similar challenges, with vehicles clogging key routes and causing congestion.
Several major roads across the city are severely affected by illegal parking, including Residency Road, Central Avenue, Cotton Market Road, Itwari, Gandhibagh, West High Court Road, and East High Court Road. A significant number of violations occur when vehicles are parked on road turnings, further exacerbating traffic bottlenecks. The Nagpur traffic police, led by Deputy Commissioner of Police Archit Chandak, launched a special drive focusing on these dangerous parking spots to alleviate the situation.
Additionally, many internal roads are facing the brunt of haphazard commercialization in residential areas. In localities such as Ramdaspeth, Dharampeth, Gokulpeth, Sakkardara, and Ravi Nagar, residential units, to name a few, have been converted into commercial establishments without designated visitor parking, worsening traffic conditions. Vehicles parked along these narrow lanes obstruct traffic flow, leaving commuters stuck in slow-moving traffic for extended periods.
Despite strict enforcement of parking rules, the lack of adequate parking spaces across Nagpur city continues to exacerbate the issue. Illegally parked vehicles not only slow down traffic but also block access for emergency services, posing a greater risk to public safety. Without significant improvement in infrastructure, Nagpur's parking woes are likely to persist, impacting residents and visitors alike.
Traffic Zones---Cases
MIDC---1998
Sonegaon---9637
Sitabuldi---22305
Sadar---9,780
Cotton Market---11,922
Lakadganj---3,336
Ajni---1,149
Indora---3,998
Sakkardara---10,606
Kamptee---3,790