Traffic Woes at Koradi Naka: Hawkers, Train Delays & Dark Streets Cause Commuter Struggles

A Narrow Road with Multiple Challenges
This road serves as a crucial connector between the highway and nearby residential areas, but its narrow width is ill-suited for the growing traffic. The hawker encroachments exacerbate the problem, leaving little room for vehicles to maneuver. Additionally, the lack of streetlights poses serious risks for pedestrians, particularly children from nearby homes, making the area unsafe at night.
Railway Crossing Adds to the Frustration
The railway crossing is another major bottleneck, often staying closed for 30 to 35 minutes whenever a train passes. This results in long queues of vehicles on both sides, completely halting traffic. Frustrated commuters and local residents have voiced their concerns. One commuter shared, “It’s hard to get through this road, especially in the evening. The hawkers take up so much space, and with no streetlights, it’s unsafe.”
Persistent Issues with Hawker Encroachments
Hawkers selling fruits, vegetables, and other goods continue to occupy the roadside, despite multiple removal attempts by the authorities. However, they keep returning, creating a constant struggle between enforcement and humanitarian concerns. A police officer explained, “When a train passes and the crossing is closed, managing traffic becomes very difficult. We remove the stalls, but they come back. Sometimes, we allow them to stay because they’re just trying to earn a living.”
The Need for Sustainable Solutions
While temporary measures have been taken, the persistent return of hawkers highlights the need for a long-term, sustainable solution. Balancing traffic management with the livelihoods of hawkers remains a challenge for local authorities. Addressing the root causes of encroachment and improving infrastructure, such as widening the road and installing streetlights, could help alleviate the problem and ensure safer, smoother commuting for everyone.