By Krishna Tiwari
Garuda, Feb. 28: Illegal and haphazard parking of vehicles along the major roads and bylanes across Rautahat's markets have turned into nightmare for both pedestrians and drivers.
Due to inadequate parking spaces, drivers have no choice but to park along either sides of the road affecting the smooth flow of traffic. Even to this day, parking facilities are unavailable at some of the district's sprawling commercial hubs such as Gaur, Garuda, Katahariya, Samanpur, Chandranigahapur among others.
With cars, motorcycles, rickshaws, pickups, all jumbled up along the streets, the mismanaged space in these markets has not only been an eyesore to the residents but also a significant traffic hazard. As a result of increasing number of vehicular movement and lack of open spaces, risk of accidents have significantly gone up all all of Rautahat's 18 local levels, none of which have adequate parking facilities to boast for. As of late, the district has seen a surge in the number of vehicles, mostly tempos, Safari, e-rickshaws and motorcycle.
Four years hence, the elected people's representatives continue to remain oblivious to the district's parking woes. Despite traffic congestion being a major challenge over the last few years, neither the local authority nor the traffic police seem any more concerned in mitigating the problem.
"Walking freely has become a rare luxury here," said Garuda's resident, Bindeswhori Yadav. According to him, "Even something as mundane as buying ration has become a herculean task where we have to weather constant honks and congested traffic every time we step outside the door."
Rabindra Pandit, a long-time businessman operating in the area, has also been facing a plight similar to Yadav. "Many people who come here to the market are compelled to park in front of shops, banks and government offices. This has increased the risk of accident, and unwanted tussle," he explained.
Acknowledging the problem, Mayor of Gaur Municipality, Ajay Gupta assured addressing the municipality's parking woes as soon as possible. Likewise, Mustak Alam, the acting Chief Administration Officer of Garuda Municipality said, "The Municipal Office is seriously contemplating plans to make spaces available for motor vehicles. We are working towards proper management of the issue."
Even zebra crossings, which are supposed to be safe pathways for pedestrians, aren't spared as tempos, pickups recklessly occupy the space. "There simply aren't any suitable places for parking in Rautahat's bazaars," claimed Assistant Sub-Inspector, Rajkumar KC of the District Traffic Police Office. As per KC, several drivers are unaware of basic traffic rules, which has further escalated this complication.
"The traffic police has intensified monitoring and has been reprimanding violators. More officials need to be deployed to stop haphazard parking," explained Assistant Sub-Inspector KC.