Encroachments, illegal parking bring Gandhi Square to a halt

Mysuru: Traffic congestion along the busy Gandhi Square stretch has become a growing concern in the city, prompting calls for immediate intervention by traffic authorities. The stretch between Prabha Theatre and Gandhi Square, one of the city's key thoroughfares, is increasingly witnessing chaotic conditions due to haphazard parking of vehicle and unchecked encroachments.During weekends, the situation turns severe as heavy vehicular movement leads to frequent traffic snarls, often bringing movement to a near standstill. Motorists and commuters face significant delays as vehicles are parked indiscriminately by the roadside, narrowing the usable carriageway and disrupting the smooth flow of traffic.Adding to the problem is the encroachment by footpath vendors, who have gradually extended their stalls onto portions of the road. With little space for pedestrians, who are forced to walk on main roads, these encroachments force both pedestrians and motorists to compete for the same space, increasing the risk of accidents and causing inconvenience to daily commuters.The lack of proper regulation has allowed the issue to persist for a long period. The MCC authorities too have failed to take any measures to curb footpath encroachment even after people faced a lot of inconvenience, activists complained.At Gandhi Square, the problem is further compounded by unorganised parking, with vehicles occupying almost every available space, often spilling onto the main road. This has made navigation through the junction increasingly difficult and unsafe. Though no major accidents have been reported so far, residents fear that the prevailing conditions could lead to serious incidents if left unaddressed.Responding to the concerns, Sundar Raj, DCP (crime and traffic), acknowledged the issue and assured prompt action. He said that he would personally inspect the area and work towards implementing an effective and lasting solution in coordination with the authorities concerned.