Vendors block Falaknuma road

HYDERABAD: Motorists travelling on the road near Falaknuma Rythu Bazaar are frequently blocked by roadside vegetable and grocery vendors.

Vendors have set up their kiosks and shops too encroach on the road. “Traffic slows down during the evenings when lots of people troop in to purchase vegetables. While the vendors sell on the road, the buyers park their vehicles on the road and make purchases,” said Mr Mujahidullah, a resident of Chandrayangutta. 

Another regular, Mr Aslam Rizvi said garlic vendors who set up their kiosks in front of the Falaknuma traffic police station and Apollo Pharmacy are another major cause for the traffic slowdown. The problem is more acute in the mornings when RTC buses stop at the place to allow vendors to unload the vegetables and fruits they bring from the villages. These buses block the stretch for about five minutes, narrowing the down the road.

Imagine, the traffic slowdown when the buses stop for short intervals. There are several schools around and people rush through the narrow stretch to avoid getting late,” said Mr Akheel Khan, a local resident of Madina colony. 

Another major problem at the market is the inadequate parking space. About 8,000 people visit the market ever day to buy vegetables and groceries at the market. However, there is no adequate place for parking of two-wheelers. 

A Falaknuma traffic police inspector said they were registering cases against encroachers and levying fines. A traffic constable is posted to keep the road free of encroachments, he said.