Seized vehicles clog sidewalks in Jeevan Bima Nagar

The footpaths near the Jeevan Bima Nagar police station, and the traffic police station which is right across the road, are crammed with seized vehicles, causing deep distress to the pedestrians.

Either side of the road are now stuffed with vehicles seized for violating norms. The situation has turned into a nightmare for pedestrians, as they are deprived of sidewalks on the Jeevan Bima Nagar main road.

Ironically, the scenario seems to be the new normal for sidewalks near many traffic police stations in the city. Many seized vehicles have become a regular fixture in the vicinity of a traffic police station.

When DH visited Jeevan Bima Nagar, more than a dozen trashed cars were found abandoned on the sidewalk, stretching for almost 500 meters on either direction from the respective stations towards the immediate traffic signal.

Another road adjacent to the traffic police station which leads to various residential neighbourhoods in Jeevan Bima Nagar has footpaths clogged with vehicles -- predominantly two-wheelers.

Pedestrians feel the traffic police are violating their space.

“The footpaths have been in a similar state for more than seven years now,” a regular commuter told DH.

The issue is also a major safety concern. “We have to literally stand on the main road to wait for vehicles to clear. If there was a footpath, it would have been safer and easier,” said Navya Kumari, a resident.

According to the sub-inspector, traffic, Jeevan Bima Nagar, the residents understand the situation. “They know we do not have any empty space granted specially to park the seized vehicles. We are forced to park vehicles on footpaths,” he said. “We do understand the problem the pedestrians are facing, but we are also helpless. The government should sanction us some empty space around or close by to the station,” he added.