Local residents allege that nearly 90 feet of the road has been occupied in some places, leaving as little as 10 feet for vehicular movement. The situation has made daily commuting increasingly difficult for motorists and pedestrians alike.
A visit to the area found that roadside stalls and shops had spread beyond the footpaths and onto the main carriageway. Temporary shops have been set up in three to four rows in some places, leaving vehicles with limited space to pass along the busy road.
The encroachment has contributed to traffic congestion, particularly during peak hours, as vehicles are forced to move through narrow stretches of the road.
Pedestrians are among those worst affected. With footpaths also occupied by vendors, many people have little choice but to walk alongside moving vehicles or use the main carriageway, increasing the risk of accidents.
Women, children and elderly people face particular difficulties. Walking along the road becomes even more hazardous in the evening and at night, when pedestrian movement increases.
The uncontrolled movement of battery-powered rickshaws and other small vehicles has further worsened the situation. Drivers are frequently seen changing lanes abruptly, travelling against traffic, stopping at random locations and picking up or dropping off passengers in the middle of the road.
Such practices disrupt the normal flow of traffic and increase the risk of collisions.
Illegal parking is another major concern. Private cars, battery-powered rickshaws and other vehicles are often parked along both sides of the road, near entrances and around junctions. Combined with the encroachment by vendors, the parking further reduces the road’s usable width.
As a result, commuters, students, local residents and people travelling to nearby institutions face daily delays. The situation not only disrupts routine travel but also raises broader concerns about public safety.
Residents fear that the narrowed road could obstruct emergency services as well. Traffic congestion may delay ambulances, fire service vehicles and police vehicles from reaching their destinations quickly, potentially worsening the consequences of emergencies.
They warn that delays could be particularly dangerous when critically ill patients need to be transported to hospitals.
Local residents have called for the immediate removal of encroachments from the 100-foot-wide road, the restoration of footpaths for pedestrians, an end to illegal parking and stricter controls on battery-powered rickshaws.
They say occasional eviction drives will not be enough to resolve the problem. Regular monitoring, effective enforcement of traffic laws and disciplined road management are needed to restore normal traffic flow and ensure pedestrian safety.
Residents believe that timely intervention by the relevant authorities could help reclaim the road and make Madani Avenue safer and more accessible for everyone.
