Pune: Traffic congestion has been a major concern for the commuters at Nashik Phata near the JRD Tata flyover, as several four-wheelers visiting the car accessories shops located just below the flyover park their vehicles haphazardly.
The second-hand cars, which are kept for sale, are also parked on the roadside.
Pimpri Chinchwad Police Commissionerate ACP (Traffic) Neelam Jadhav said, “We have given notice to these car shop owners and they will be cleared soon.”
On both sides of the road, the cars are parked under the flyover. Metro work is also being carried out at the Nashik Phata signal. This leads to traffic congestion as only one lane is open for traffic. Even late at night, the road remains blocked.
President of the Car Accessories Shops Association Surendra Sahani said, “From 2000 the shops have been here. Now, there are more than 65 shops at the place. All these shops are legal.”
Shripal Oswal, owner of Surprise Car Accessories, said, “This is my second shop of car accessories and the car owners visiting our shop parks their vehicles on the roadside. Otherwise, where will they park?”
Mumtaz Shaikh, owner of ‘City Car Decor’, said, “Traffic police do not usually come here for rounds. They have not even issued any kind of notice to us. But the fact is that these are not our cars. These are the cars of the customers who come here to purchase car accessories.”
Over this issue, Jadhav said, “We keep taking action over these car accessories and car sale shop owners. We have sent notices to all of them who operate from here. The cars kept for sale should be kept inside and not on the roadside, otherwise, stern action will be taken against them. We will also take action against customers who come here if they violate the traffic rules and regulations.”