Walking through the colourful Paharganj road, where everything from bright home decorations to fancy street clothes, is fascinating. As one takes a left turn and enters the historic 'Sadar Bazar', one of the most congested markets in the city, there is almost no space to walk due to the presence of numerous street vendors and rickshaws. The market witnessed one of the worst pedestrian traffic jams in the city.
With the Delhi government on a mission to turn the city's markets into vehicle-free zones, starting with Chandni Chowk, where the main Chandni Chowk-Fatehpuri Masjid road has been converted into a pedestrian-only street during the day, can the same thing be done in Sadar Bazar?
"They have done a good thing in Chandni Chowk and something similar should be tried here as well. There are days when we cannot even cross the main road to get to the other side. Various measures over the years have failed due to non-cooperation from the vendors and the rickshaw pullers," said HS Chhabra, President, Sadar Bazar Market Association.
"E-rickshaws have further added to the misery as they ride on whichever side of the road they find space and park anywhere thus causing traffic jams and not leaving any space for pedestrians to walk," he added.
Despite several measures by the shopkeepers in the market, the chaos continues to grow. On any given day, huge traffic jams, both vehicular and pedestrian, can be seen where people are just not able to move. While some shopkeepers are hopeful that the Delhi government's plan to make these markets 'pedestrian-only' will come to Sadar Bazar as well, others think that nothing will change here as it has not changed in several decades.
THEY SAID...
Today is still better, it rained thus there are fewer vehicles otherwise there are days when it takes a long while to cross this narrow street and get to the other side.
— Harish Chandra, Shopkeeper
I have been here since 1974 and I have never seen this street any less congested. There are crazy days. The numerous shops and ever-increasing vendors just make it very difficult for pedestrians to even take a walk.
— Kavinder Singh Batra, Shopkeeper
The e-rickshaws have added to the already chaotic scene at Sadar Bazar. When these rickshaws first arrived, they were a boon but now it is making life difficult.
— Raman Handa, General Secretary, Sadar Bazar Market Association
