Traders in Una, Himachal Pradesh, have made a fervent appeal to the district administration, seeking a crucial relaxation in the timings permitted for the loading and unloading of goods. This plea comes directly from the Una Market Committee, representing the collective voice of local businesses facing significant operational hurdles and financial strain due to the current restrictions.
The Core of the Traders' Grievance
Led by President Ravinder Singh Rana and General Secretary Rajiv Kumar, a delegation from the Una Market Committee met with Deputy Commissioner Raghav Sharma to present their case. The central issue is the existing time window allowed for these essential commercial activities. Traders argue that the permitted hours are insufficient and impractical for the smooth functioning of their businesses.
The delegation highlighted a critical domino effect: the restrictive timings directly lead to traffic congestion in market areas. When all delivery vehicles are forced to operate within the same narrow timeframe, it creates logjams, further delaying operations and causing inconvenience to the public. This congestion, they contend, is a direct consequence of the policy and not merely a traffic management issue.
Economic Impact and the Plea for a Solution
The traders did not mince words about the financial repercussions. They stated that the current system is causing heavy losses to their businesses. The inability to receive and dispatch stock efficiently disrupts supply chains, affects inventory management, and ultimately hurts the bottom line for numerous shops and establishments in Una.
In their appeal to DC Raghav Sharma, the committee proposed a specific solution: extending the loading and unloading deadline to 11 AM. They believe this additional time would allow for a more staggered and manageable flow of goods vehicles, alleviating the peak-hour pressure that leads to congestion and business disruptions.
Administrative Response and Next Steps
Deputy Commissioner Raghav Sharma, acknowledging the concerns raised by the trading community, has taken a proactive step. He has assured the delegation that their request is under serious consideration. To move towards a resolution, the DC has directed the relevant officials to prepare a formal proposal outlining the feasibility and implications of relaxing the timings.
This proposal will be presented and discussed in the upcoming meeting of the District Road Safety Committee. This indicates that the administration is treating the matter with due diligence, balancing the traders' needs with broader concerns of road safety and urban management. The traders' fate now hinges on the committee's deliberation and subsequent decision.
The outcome of this appeal is keenly awaited by Una's business community. A positive decision could provide much-needed relief and operational flexibility, potentially boosting local commerce. However, the administration must also weigh this against traffic management and public convenience, making it a classic urban governance challenge.
