Jhansi Rani Square, a major transport hub with Mor Bhavan bus terminus on one side and the Metro interchange junction at nearby Munje Square, faces daily chaos from illegally parked autorickshaws and encroachments by street vendors.
Haphazardly parked autorickshaws at Jhansi Rani Square, Munje Square, and the connecting road cause significant traffic disruptions.
Autorickshaws occupy a large portion of the road, and wrong-side driving is also common. Traffic cops stationed there often ignore these violations. Passengers exiting autorickshaws frequently fail to watch for oncoming traffic, endangering themselves and drivers. This, along with the on-road parking of autos, worsens traffic congestion near the square.
Illegally parked autorickshaws cover most of the roads, while street vendors have taken over the footpaths, leaving no space for pedestrians. As a result, pedestrians are forced to walk on the road, exacerbating traffic issues. Additionally, the compound wall of Matru Seva Sangh is lined with hawkers displaying their products..
Despite numerous anti-encroachment drives by the Nagpur Municipal Corporation (NMC), the desired results have not been achieved. A street vendor confided to the Times of India that enforcement is unlikely due to their strong connections with both the NMC’s anti-encroachment department and the traffic police.
As per the local daily report, authorized shopkeepers who have been operating at Jhansi Rani Square for decades have expressed frustration with the situation. “Traffic here is a menace. If officials did their jobs properly, law and order would be restored,” said one shop owner.