Parking woes at busy Kohat Enclave market

NEW DELHI: From daily use accessories to wedding shopping, there is nothing that one can’t get at the Kohat Enclave market in North Delhi. However, getting a parking spot there can be a tricky task.

In the last five to 10 years, this market has grown very rapidly. Urbanisation has been able to keep pace with the growth of the area. However, effective town planning has taken a back seat. For the thousands of customers who come to shop in this market every day, there is not a single proper parking lot provided by the municipal corporation.

Apart from parking in the side lane — originally designated for small traffic and pedestrians — cars are often seen parked on the main road as well. This takes up an entire lane of the overall three lanes, choking the traffic and sometimes bringing it to a standstill.

It seems there exists an uneasy nexus between the shopkeepers and the municipal authorities in the area. The shopkeepers naturally benefit from such a parking arrangement as it increases footfall in their shops.

Hence, the local market unions and committees have time and again opposed any regulation of the parking spaces. Obviously, no shop owner was willing to say anything on record in this regard.

“Our wholesale business depends upon the fact that this market provides easy customer access. Most of our shops are on the main road and so can be easily spotted by potential customers. Hence, it makes sense for them to park their vehicle just outside the shop on the road and come inside. This is what makes us different from other markets in Delhi. You can’t expect one to take their SUVs to a market like Chandni Chowk,” said a shoe shop owner, who did not wish to be identified.

Aruna Singh, a resident of the area, is worried on the other hand about the worsening situation. “These days, a lot of unidentified cars are seen parked around my house. Apart from taking up precious parking space meant for the residents, we do not know the owners of the cars. This increases the chances of theft and robbery in the area,” she said.

“These are just the petty crimes. Who knows what can happen in a crowded market like this one? Such locations are always on the list of terrorists and other such elements. Random car parking gives them the perfect opportunity to achieve their means,” added her husband Sunil, who is a banker.

According to the residents, while the authorities sleep over it, they continue to suffer.