Congestion reigns supreme

Secunderabad: From selling hairpins to helmets, from fruits to peacock feathers and even electronic gadgets, footpaths across Secunderabad railway station and bus depots have become a regular hub for hawkers and vendors causing inconvenience to both the motorists and also the passersby using the route.

Even though the traffic police had setup barricades near the roads for walkers to make their way without any hassles, it is getting increasingly difficult for people especially women and children who get mobbed and misbehaved with.

Moreover, the close proximity gives thieves an extra added advantage to pick people's pockets conveniently. Thus, many citizens began to stray away from the directed walk ways and are using the main roads to avoid the crowd causing troubles to motorists and bus drivers, threatening their own lives.

' I work in Jubilee Hills and travel to my office by catching a bus at Secunderabad. Walking down to the bus stop here is no less than a herculean task. Huge crowds of people just stand amidst the walk way only to window shop or bargain with the hawkers slowing down the movement of people behind them.

It is a big nuisance everyday. We cant even walk on the roads as it is risky. I dont understand why the hawkers have to occupy the footpaths when they already have the monda market to sell their goods. Why can't they shift into the station complex atleast? This will atleast lessen the burden on the roads."opines Prasad, a regular commuter.

Although the problem has been persisting since several years now, no permanent action has been taken to solve it. In fact, a source within the railway management revealed that the hawkers and vendors have been paying bribes to traffic personnel to get their permission in the running the business. The source also added that it only during that the inspection that all the footpaths were cleared shifting the hawkers to the nearby streets.

"Traffic congestions have become synonymous to Secunderabad ever since people have begun to occupy public spaces illegally leaving people with no option but to walk on the roads. To avoid accidents we motorists have to be even more careful and most of the times there are no officials who would fine these people or even redirect the crowd to safe routes.

Driving in these areas has become problematic for we are putting not just our lives into risk but also of those walking on the roads. When I tried to explain a lady to walk atleast to the corner of the roads she retorted angrily saying Ye Road Tumhaare Baap Ka Hai Kya. Now what should we do?" complains Vidya, a student.

Moreover the pavements and seats at the bus depots become shelters to beggars and drunkards. It is unfortunate that while we have strict rules quoted in our law books to enforce it into action is still a distant dream.