Lack of parking space remains grave issue in markets across Dwarka
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Lack of parking space remains grave issue in markets across Dwarka

There are planned markets in each sector near the societies which are called MLUs.

Lack of parking space remains grave issue in markets across Dwarka

Dwarka: The lack of proper space for parking in the market areas has been a serious issue. The situation has deteriorated with the increase in the population in the city. It has exposed the town planning. 

The places like service lanes along the master plan roads and markets, which were made for the smooth access for the fire brigade, ambulance or any such vehicles, are now in use for parking cars.

The situation has become alarming. In the service lane, vehicles are being parked on both the sides, leaving a narrow space to commute. Not only this, but also on the main roads in front of the markets, vehicles are being parked, which is creating a tough situation in the evening and at weekends for the commuters.

There are planned markets in each sector near the societies which are called MLUs. Those markets were developed by the DDA since the inception of the city. The markets were developed in such a way that there were spaces in the premises only for the parking. 

After the premises, the service lanes and the master plan roads were constructed. Now the situation has worsened due to increased population and the over burden on the market in the terms of visitors and the shopkeepers. 

It seems that the town planners would have never thought of such overload. This situation can be seen in the MLUs of Sector 6, 10, 11, 12, 3 and 4. According to the people in the market, the premises too are not of that much capacity which could accommodate the parking for market people too.

On the present parking crisis and planning, a DDA official on the condition of anonymity said, “It was thought that the people in the nearby societies would visit such MLU markets on foot but it did not happen. Now the planning seems to have failed and the concept which was adopted is not practical on the ground.”

“This matter was once pointed out by one of the higher officials who expressed uncertainty over the future of the market in the next 20 years. He said that there was no parking space and the concept adopted by DDA could be a failure. So, the crisis was known to them and it could have been avoided,” he added.

Ramphal Chowk is the oldest market in the area for Dwarka. This is in Sector 7 in Palam Extension. In that market, there is no space for parking. The market is on both sides of the road and the visitors are compelled to park their vehicles on the roads only. 

Besides, there is encroachment of footpaths and also the main roads by the vendors and extension counters of the market shops. This makes it very difficult to cross the stretch. Traffic jams on the road from Ganpati Chowk to Brahma Apartments in Sector 7, which is just in the middle of the market, is a perennial issue.

Anurag Bahal, a resident of Sector 7 said, “The existing problem has made the life tough for the residents as out of compulsion they park the vehicles in no parking zone and their vehicles are towed away by the police.” 

Residents said that on weekends, there must be some provision by traffic police to allow the parking in one lane of the road. But there no such option was given from either civic agencies or the police.

In Dwarka, the emerging new markets and malls have also started facing parking problems. In the last couple of years, such markets and malls have come up in the area. Parking is being done on the main roads. 

In malls, despite the availability of parking space, the vehicles are being parked on roads. Such type of parking can be seen in front of City Centre Mall in Sector 12 metro corridor. Besides, the new market along the road from KM Chowk towards Vidyut Chowk in Sector 12 and from the chowk of Sector 4/12 towards Bal Bharti School, there is no parking space in the upcoming market. 

Both sides of the road, new banks, medical facilities shops, coaching centres, sweet shops are being located. Though the area has been coming up as a commercial area in the form of a market, yet, there is no parking provision.

In that condition, the parking space for the market people and the visitors is on the main road. A member of Dwarka Forum, Rejimon CK said, “There is a dire need to look into the matter. Traffic police, local police, civic bodies should together think upon it and try to get a solution.”