Kurnool: Even though Nandyal has become a district headquarters with 42 municipal wards, it is yet to acquire the orderliness and discipline that is expected in a developed city. The population of Nandyal now exceeds 5 lakhs, yet the administration has not focused on improving commuter convenience. Encroachments on roads, parking violations and breach of traffic discipline is rampant. Thousands of people from the 35 surrounding villages of six mandals travel to Nandyal for various purposes, adding to the chaos. Nandyal’s narrow roads, particularly the 30–50 feet wide main road, are unable to accommodate the burgeoning traffic. Despite some road widening efforts, absence of dedicated parking spaces is leading to people parking their vehicles along the roads. The situation worsens during peak hours. Presence of roadside vendors, poorly parked vehicles and autos hinders movement along key roads, such as Sanjeevaiah Nagar to Sreenivasa Centre, Bus Stand Road to Burma Circle, and Gandhi Chowk. According to officials, over two lakh vehicles, both transport and non-transport, move through the city daily. Additionally, an average of 1,500 new vehicles hit the town’s already overburdened roads each month. Poorly planned bus stops only exacerbate the issue. The city continues to witness fatal accidents, highlighting the severity of the problem. K. Rajagopal, a resident of Sanjeevaiah Nagar, rues that municipal staff seem more focused on tax collection than addressing the traffic chaos. The main road, which stretches for about two kilometres, is a daily test of patience for commuters. R. Benjamin, a private employee in Nandyal, points out that shopping complexes, supermarkets and similar spaces lack sufficient parking, forcing visitors to park their vehicles haphazardly on roads, blocking the way for other vehicles and even pedestrians. An officer of the Nandyal municipality has acknowledged the traffic issues. He says while some roads have been improved, more needs to be done even as the city continues to expand. He maintained that the municipality plans to demolish roadside encroachments through a special drive. He says in collaboration with police, they are conducting awareness campaigns on traffic norms.
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