Nagpur: Traffic conditions on the Kamptee–Nagpur Road have deteriorated sharply as unchecked illegal parking by marriage lawns and banquet halls adds to congestion caused by ongoing Metro construction. With the carriageway already narrowed, vehicles belonging to wedding guests are being parked directly on the National Highway, leading to frequent bottlenecks and heightened safety risks.
Commuters and local residents have complained that during peak wedding hours, sizeable portions of the highway are reduced to informal parking lots. The disorderly parking has resulted in long traffic queues, near-collision incidents, and major inconvenience to emergency services, city buses, and daily office-goers. Similar violations are being reported from other areas of the city, where event venues continue operations without adequate in-house parking arrangements.
Traffic authorities have acknowledged the issue and said enforcement action has begun against violators for creating obstruction and danger on public roads. Special teams have been instructed to keep constant vigil on identified trouble spots and take immediate legal action whenever violations are detected.
Officials noted that the problem has intensified due to overlapping factors. Metro construction has reduced usable road width at several locations, while the peak wedding season has significantly increased vehicular movement. Enforcement squads are conducting routine drives and tightening checks to curb illegal parking, holding both vehicle owners and venue operators accountable.
The situation has drawn sharp public attention, with citizens questioning the effectiveness of action against four-wheeler owners and commercial establishments contributing to road blockages. In response, the traffic department has rolled out a technology-backed enforcement plan to strengthen its crackdown.
As part of this initiative, 1,000 traffic jammers have been procured and will be deployed evenly across all traffic zones in the city. Officials said the devices will be used to immobilise illegally parked vehicles, serving as a strong deterrent against repeat offenders and helping to restore smoother traffic flow on highways and arterial roads.
Traffic officials have also issued a clear warning to marriage lawns and banquet halls, stating that failure to provide sufficient parking space within their premises will attract strict penal action, including repeated fines and legal proceedings. Authorities have reiterated that illegal parking on major roads and highways will not be tolerated, particularly when key routes are already under strain due to infrastructure work.
