Traders Air Concerns at Khan Market Traffic Panchayat
Parking shortages, traffic movement, pedestrian access, and encroachments were among the key concerns raised by Khan Market traders during a 'Traffic Panchayat' held on Saturday with Delhi Police, Delhi Traffic Police, and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC). The meeting, held at the Disaster Management Centre on Humonay Road, saw traders flag issues related to access to the market, parking availability, pedestrian crossings, and traffic management on Shah Jahan Road, as reported by The Times of India.
The Delhi Police held the coordination meeting under the theme 'Traffic Panchayat' to discuss and address issues related to traffic regulation, traffic management, encroachment, pick-and-drop arrangements, security, and surveillance in and around the market in Lutyens' Delhi, according to The Tribune. The meeting was attended by representatives of the NDMC and office-bearers and members of the Khan Market Traders Association, with The Tribune reporting that the issue of inadequate parking space was discussed in detail.
Raising Concerns and Proposing Solutions
Signal timings, encroachments by mechanics and other businesses occupying public spaces, and the need for better traffic regulation were also discussed, according to The Times of India. Traders flagged that public spaces are often occupied, affecting the movement of vehicles and pedestrians as well as parking availability, and the need for stricter enforcement against such encroachments was discussed.
Special CP (Traffic) Ajay Chaudhary said the meeting was aimed at bringing all stakeholders together to identify practical solutions to the issues faced by the market, according to The Times of India. "We received several useful suggestions today and discussed the issues being faced by traders. Such meetings are important because all agencies and stakeholders need to come together to find solutions," he said.
The Times of India reported that the meeting also discussed traffic and security arrangements for the upcoming BRICS summit, with officials and traders discussing ways to facilitate and welcome visitors to the market. The need for adequate CCTV coverage and coordination between different agencies was highlighted.
Addressing Parking Shortage
The meeting explored several measures to address the parking shortage. The president of the Khan Market Traders Association highlighted that a vacant plot on Amrita Shergill Marg had remained unused for several years and suggested that the NDMC explore the possibility of developing an underground parking facility at the site, according to The Tribune.
An NDMC representative informed the meeting that a proposal for additional parking facilities, including the proposed underground parking facility and parking space opposite Little Dhawal, was under consideration, The Tribune reported.
Traffic Management and Enforcement
It was decided that roadside parking on Shershah Road/SBM Road would be regulated to ensure the smooth movement of traffic, according to The Tribune. The Tribune also reported that strict enforcement of lane discipline in Khan Market and the Sujan Singh Park area was emphasized, with officers directed to undertake logical and focused enforcement against traffic violations.
The possibility of introducing a one-way traffic circulation system within Khan Market was also discussed to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on internal lanes, as per The Tribune.
Joint CP (Traffic) Sanjay Tyagi said the Sujan Singh Park signal could be manually operated during peak hours and the SBM Road signal timing would be reviewed and increased, as reported by The Times of India. LPR cameras at the entry points of the market were reported as functional, and hotels would be sensitised to regulate guest vehicle parking, according to The Times of India.
The meeting aimed to address immediate concerns while also working towards a long-term plan for traffic flow, parking, pedestrian movement, and streetscape, according to The Times of India. Pedestrian movement was another key focus, with officials discussing ways to maximise pedestrianisation and make the market more pedestrian-friendly, as per The Times of India.