Dhanbad: Purana Bazar, one of the city’s old and major commercial areas, has seen an increase in traffic pressure with the growth of business, but parking facilities do not appear to have developed at the same pace. On Ratanji Road, Purana Bazar Main Road and Dari Mohalla, parking of vehicles on both sides of the road, goods placed on footpaths and handcarts reduce the space available for movement at several places.

The market has several types of shops, including clothing, grocery, footwear, electronics, hardware and cosmetics. A large number of customers visit the area every day. As a result, the movement of two-wheelers and four-wheelers, along with e-rickshaws and pedestrians, increases pressure on the roads.

30-Foot Road, Narrowed to Six-Eight Feet at Several Places

On Ratanji Road and nearby roads, vehicles parked on both sides and handcarts or goods placed on footpaths reduce the actual space available for movement. On a road that is around 30 feet wide, if vehicles are parked on both sides and the footpath is also unavailable for movement, very limited space remains for vehicles to pass at several places.

The problem becomes worse during busy hours. If a vehicle stops or a route is blocked at a turn, a queue of vehicles begins to form behind it. At the same time, pedestrians have to use part of the road because there is no space available on the footpath.

Questions Being Raised Over Parking Facilities

An important aspect of the problem in Purana Bazar is the parking facilities in large commercial buildings and shopping complexes. The question is what condition the space designated for parking in the approved building plans is currently in.

At the municipal level, the approved plans of old and new commercial buildings can be compared with the actual situation on the ground. This could clarify whether the approved parking spaces are actually available for vehicles or are being used for another purpose.

New commercial projects have also been recorded on Ratanji Road in Purana Bazar. Therefore, examining building approvals, designated parking and the facilities available on the ground could be important from the perspective of the market’s traffic management.

Footpath for Pedestrians or for Keeping Goods?

Along with parking, the condition of footpaths is also becoming a reason for traffic pressure in Purana Bazar. At several places, goods from shops, handcarts or other materials placed on footpaths reduce the space available for pedestrians.

If pedestrian movement is smooth on footpaths and parking is arranged at designated places, the conflict between vehicles and pedestrians on the road can be reduced.

Coordinated System Needed for a Permanent Solution

In a densely populated commercial area like Purana Bazar, simply widening the road may not be a permanent solution to the problem. Parking