The bustling student hub of Mahesh Nagar in Jaipur's Gopalpura area has been transformed into a weekly nightmare for its inhabitants. An illegal Thursday market, which has expanded unchecked over several years, now causes severe traffic congestion and poses a serious risk to public safety, particularly near a critical hospital.
Weekly Bottleneck Brings Life to a Standstill
Every Thursday, the narrow internal roads of the locality are completely choked. Street vendors line up their carts on both sides of the streets, leaving minimal space for vehicles and pedestrians to navigate. The situation is exacerbated by a heavy influx of shoppers and a surge in two-wheelers and cars, making routine movement an arduous task for both residents and daily commuters.
Hospital Access Under Threat, Emergency Services at Risk
The crisis has reached an alarming level near the Maya Devi Hospital. Vendors have reportedly begun setting up stalls directly outside the hospital premises. Locals express grave fears that in the event of a medical emergency, ambulances and other essential vehicles may be unable to reach the hospital promptly due to the completely blocked access roads.
Pawan Goyal, the president of the Gopalpura Bypass Traders' Association, outlined the escalating problem. He stated that the market began as a manageable entity with only a few carts but has grown uncontrollably. The increase in vendors and customer vehicles has created serious issues, leading to frequent disputes between vendors and local households and a rise in collisions with passing vehicles.
"We have submitted several petitions and complaints to the Jaipur Municipal Corporation (JMC), but no concrete action has been taken so far," Goyal revealed, highlighting the administration's inaction.
Residents and Traders Unite in Plea for Regulation
Frustrated by the years of inconvenience and growing safety hazards, the community has now united in a strong appeal to the civic authorities. Residents and local traders are urgently urging the Jaipur Municipal Corporation to intervene decisively. Their demand is clear: the illegal market must be either properly regulated or removed entirely to ensure smooth traffic flow on the narrow streets and, most importantly, guarantee unhindered access for emergency services like ambulances.
Attempts to seek an official response from JMC vigilance deputy commissioner Ajay Sharma were unsuccessful, as he was unavailable for comment. The ball now lies in the court of the municipal corporation to address this persistent civic issue plaguing Mahesh Nagar.
