Ranchi's Upper Bazar, the city's busiest commercial hub, is grappling with a severe parking crisis. Narrow roads, rampant encroachments, and a surge in vehicle numbers bring traffic to a standstill on most days.
Peak Hours and Festive Seasons Worsen the Situation
The problem intensifies during peak hours or festive seasons. Frequent traffic jams, unsafe roadside parking, and general inconvenience plague both shoppers and traders in the area.
Encroachments by Shops Reduce Road Width
According to Ranchi Municipal Corporation records, over 200 shops operate in Upper Bazar. Each shop was originally allotted about 150 square feet of space. However, many establishments have extended their structures beyond the sanctioned area.
These encroachments onto public land and footpaths have significantly reduced road width. An RMC official stated that this violation has worsened congestion in the market.
Lack of Designated Parking Facilities
The market area spans roughly two kilometers in perimeter. It lacks any designated parking facility. As a result, two-wheelers, cars, and delivery vehicles park haphazardly along the narrow lanes.
This chaotic parking further chokes movement, making it difficult for people and goods to pass through.
Daily Commuters and Shoppers Voice Their Struggles
Anil Kumar, a daily commuter, expressed his frustration. He said there is no proper place to park vehicles, leading to long traffic jams as cars are left anywhere.
Ayesha Parveen, a college student, shared her concern about Rangrez Gali. She described it as feeling like a dhobi ghat, with clothes hung right up to the road and hardly any walking space left. She mentioned that just looking at the lane feels suffocating.
Business Impact on Shopkeepers
Shopkeepers report that the parking chaos is hurting their business. Bilal, a garment trader at Bakri Bazar, explained that customers avoid coming to the area because they fear getting stuck in traffic or receiving fines.
He added that even loading and unloading goods has become a significant challenge due to the congestion.
RMC Awaits Drone Mapping for Clarity
RMC officials noted that no official data is available on the exact spatial spread of encroachments. However, they expect clarity once drone mapping of the area is completed. This mapping will help assess the full extent of the problem and potentially guide solutions.
The parking crisis in Upper Bazar highlights broader urban planning issues in Ranchi. As vehicle numbers continue to rise, the need for effective traffic management and parking solutions becomes increasingly urgent.
