Traffic hassles make shoppers troublesome

Visakhapatnam: Shoppers are apparently bound to experience traffic nightmares at commercial hubs in the city until the parking infrastructure improves as planned by authorities. Last-minute Sankranti shopping has resulted in a huge rush in the commercial hubs in the city, which has left little or no space for parking. Everyone comes to Jagadamba Junction, Daba Gardens, Dwarakanagar, Gajuwaka and a few others areas and most of the shops do not have parking space or a basement. Moreover, as the city does not have parking spaces, shoppers park their vehicles on the roadside, sometimes even occupying the footpaths.

The efforts of the traffic personnel to smoothen the traffic flow is proving to be futile with the roads getting narrower due to haphazard parking. Traders are also of the view that their business would have improved had the parking infrastructure come up, as many prefer shopping malls over small shops worried about parking. Even pedestrians are finding it tough to walk as the footpaths are being encroached upon in Jagadamba and Daba Gardens.

 “We are thinking twice before going for shopping during the festive season as there is no space for parking. Civic authorities should plan temporary parking spaces till the infrastructure is ready,” said M. Bhaskar, a government employee. With 60,000 new vehicles including 7,000 cars, hitting the city road every year, (according to the RTA), lack of parking space is leading to traffic snarls and accidents. The multi-level car parking (MLCP) near Jagadamba junction has been planned under PPP mode at an estimated budget of Rs 67 crore. Tenders for the MLCP were invited two-months ago and would be spread over an area of 130 sq mts and will be equipped with latest technologies. There are two other MLCP’s that are being planned in the city. One in front of Kursura Museum and the other in front of VUDA office. These also would be taken up jointly by GVMC and VUDA.