Pimpri Chinchwad: Shawarma vs. Traffic Rules – Pradhikaran Residents Choose Delicious Disregard
Varad Bhatkhande
Pradhikaran, 9th May 2024: Is a tasty Shawarma worth breaking traffic rules and parking vehicles on the street? The situation in front of Akurdi Railway Station in Pradhikaran suggests so. Along the road leading from Akurdi Railway Station to CMS Kerala Bhavan, it has become a common sight to see vehicles parked beside the road divider. This has now become the norm for the area’s residents. Known for its abundance of delicious food joints, the area always attracts many customers. However, this influx of visitors comes at a cost – traffic rules are routinely disregarded, disrupting commuters in the Pimpri Chinchwad cities.
The area is home to a renowned Shawarma joint, along with some excellent Western snack spots, banks, cafes, gyms, a bustling khau galli, and offices frequented by many. There’s also CMS Kerala Bhavan, which attracts numerous visitors. Furthermore, those dropping off others at Akurdi Railway Station often take advantage of this “free” parking option. Rather than seeking an official parking spot, they opt to park their vehicles near the road divider.
The owners and management of establishments in the area frequently instruct visitors to refrain from parking there, yet their pleas often go ignored. Despite occasional actions taken by the Traffic Branch of the Pimpri Chinchwad police against violators, their efforts seem fruitless.
In response to this issue, Nigdi Traffic Branch Police Inspector Shankar Babar stated, “We regularly take actions, utilizing traffic cranes to lift vehicles violating traffic rules. Although the traffic crane was inactive for a few days, we will now resume actions even more frequently. The initial fine for parking violations is Rs 500, with subsequent fines increasing to Rs 1500. Additionally, we have erected warning boards to deter citizens.”
Commuters on this road face difficulties navigating through the area due to the limited space caused by vehicles parked beside the divider. Traffic flow is frequently disrupted, particularly for four-wheelers, often resulting in drivers needing to navigate with extreme caution to avoid accidents. It’s a significant nuisance for daily commuters.
From the perspective of the people, accessible parking nearby is scarce. Anish Parashrami, a resident of Pradhikaran and a daily commuter of that road, sheds light on this issue, stating, “Since the area’s formation, vehicles have been parked beside the road divider. Nearby parking is insufficient, forcing people to park farther away and walk back. Despite the constant urging from shop owners and warning signs about fines, people continue to disregard parking regulations. Navigating vehicles through the area is challenging, and accessing shops becomes even more difficult. The lack of parking options remains a concern.”
In response to this issue, Punekar News attempted to contact establishments in the area. The manager of Shawarma King stated, “Many people park their vehicles beside the divider and use the railway. They depart in the morning and return in the evening. Yes, there is a problem. To discourage this behaviour, we have placed boards there, requesting visitors not to park, and I can say our customers heed the message.”
The issue of parking beside the divider is a serious one. Not only does it violate rules, but it also heightens the risk of accidents. Furthermore, such indisciplined parking undermines the values of model citizenship that the residents of this area hold dear. Residents suggest that assigning a traffic officer to maintain discipline or implementing stricter actions could potentially bring about a change.
