AMC to declare commercial areas like Cannaught Place, Paithan Gate, Gulmandi as No Vehicle Zones?

Aurangabad, Jan 20:

The Aurangabad Municipal Corporation (AMC) has recently held a meeting with city traffic police, merchants and residents of various commercial areas to declare Cannaught Place and Paithan Gate to Gulmandi Road and as No Vehicle Zones in the city. The above places are commercial markets, therefore, they witness a huge crowd of visitors during the peak hours daily.

There is a huge rush of visitors at the shops in Cannaught Place area market from 6 pm to 10 pm. Both the sides of the road are encroached by the hawkers and the parking of vehicles of the customers. As a result, it becomes difficult for pedestrians to walk on foot. Considering this inconvenience, the AMC is planning to refrain vehicle parking on the roads in the vicinity. The traffic police officials stressed on the need of implementing traffic rules to get rid of frequent vehicle congestion in the area. The shopkeepers should also park their vehicles in the parking area of their buildings.

The residents of Cannaught Place area opposed to it, but considering the public interest, they agreed to allow shopkeepers to park their vehicles in their buildings parking areas, said the sources.

The discussion on declaring No Vehicle Zone to commercial areas, falling on the road from Paithan Gate to Gulmandi was also held at length. It was decided that the customers should be encouraged to park their vehicles in the parking lots at Paithan Gate and Aurangpura and then go for shopping on foot to Tilak Path, Gulmandi etc.

Meanwhile, the civic administration plans to introduce Pay and Park for the visitors at Cannaught Place area and Paithan Gate to Gulmandi road. It would help generate income for the civic body. Meanwhile, the task of identifying suitable locations is underway.

The shopkeepers and merchants of Cannaught Place market have opposed to the Pay and Park proposal. They suggested freeing the sides of the road from the hawkers and the handcarts. This space could be utilised for vehicles' parking to the customers, said a merchant Dnyaneshwar Kharde.