Jaipur: Following the implementation of a signal-free traffic systemat the Laxmi Mandir Tiraha, vehicular movement significantly decreased on the Sahakar Marg’s Tonk Road end, creating opportunities for street vendors to encroach on this stretch of the road.These vendors now occupy more than 50% of the road segment between the underpass and the Laxmi Mandir Tiraha, severely restricting vehicle movement.The situation worsened as a section of motorists frequently drove on the wrong side through this flank to access the newly constructed underpass, creating dangerous conditions and increasing the risk of accidents on this stretch.“The stretch on Sahakar Marg, between the road of the underpass and the Laxmi Mandir Tiraha, is one of its kind. Vehicles hardly move on this stretch, yet there are congestions. The street vendors occupy more than half of the flank, and you would always find vehicles from the opposite direction moving on the wrong side. It seems a major accident is inevitable any day,” stated Prakash Gurjar, an app cab driver.On Friday, when Team TOI visited the spot, it was revealed that several street vendors have formed two lanes on the stretch between the road of the underpass and the Sarovar Hotel, covering more than 50% of the Tonk Road-bound flank. No police officials from the traffic department or the local Jyoti Nagar police station were present to drive them away.“We would definitely look into the issue,” stated Saheen C, the Deputy Commissioner (Traffic) of Jaipur police.A section of JDA officials and road safety experts have insisted that this signal-free project on Tonk Road was not the need of the moment when the previous Congress govt decided to implement it. They claimed the project has not only left the stretch of Sahakar Marg but also the underpass underutilised.“The main aim of the project was to close turnings at the Laxmi Mandir Tiraha to facilitate an upcoming shopping mall. If the barricades were not put on the crossing of the Tiraha, the Tiraha would have become a chouraha as the exit and entry gates of the shopping malls are located right opposite to the two flanks of Sahakar Marg,” stated an official.
Traffic takes a hit as street vendors block Sahakar Marg | Jaipur News
