For the residents of Patiala's upscale Leela Bhawan area, Sundays have become a day of dread rather than rest. The weekly Sunday Market, a fixture for decades, continues to unleash a wave of chaos, disrupting daily life and raising serious concerns about safety and civic management.
A Weekly Onslaught of Noise and Traffic
Every Sunday, the scene unfolds with predictable misery. Hundreds of vendors descend upon the area, setting up their stalls along the roadsides. This unchecked encroachment turns major thoroughfares into narrow, congested lanes. The stretch from the 22 No. Phatak to the Rajindra Hospital traffic lights becomes virtually impassable, creating massive traffic snarls that test the patience of commuters and residents alike.
The problems extend far beyond mere inconvenience. The constant blaring of horns from frustrated drivers trapped in the gridlock creates severe noise pollution. For the sick and elderly seeking treatment at the nearby Rajindra Hospital, the journey becomes an additional ordeal. Emergency vehicles, including ambulances, face significant delays navigating the choked roads, posing a direct threat to public safety.
Administrative Inaction and Broken Promises
Despite numerous complaints and appeals, the district administration's response has been lackluster. Residents report that while officials occasionally conduct drives to clear encroachments, these efforts are fleeting. The vendors return with impunity the very next week, rendering the administrative actions merely cosmetic.
This cycle of complaint and temporary clearance has persisted for years. Locals argue that the administration has failed to implement a permanent, viable solution. The core issue, they say, is the lack of a designated, organized space for the market to operate without obstructing public roads and inconvenacing thousands.
The market's popularity is not in question; it provides affordable goods and a lively atmosphere. However, the complete absence of proper planning and regulation has transformed a community event into a civic nightmare. The chaos spills into residential lanes, with vendors occupying spaces right outside homes, leading to littering and sanitation issues.
Residents Demand Concrete Action
The collective frustration is reaching a boiling point. Citizens are now vocally demanding that the Patiala district administration move beyond temporary fixes. Their demands are clear:
- A permanent relocation of the Sunday Market to a designated, spacious ground where it can function without disrupting traffic.
- Strict enforcement of anti-encroachment laws to keep main roads and hospital access routes clear at all times.
- A formal review and action plan from the Municipal Corporation and district authorities to address this long-standing issue.
The situation in Leela Bhawan serves as a stark reminder of what happens when urban planning fails to keep pace with city life. The weekly market chaos is more than just a traffic problem; it is a symptom of administrative neglect and a lack of proactive governance. Until a structural solution is found, the residents of Patiala will continue to pay the price for this Sunday tradition with their peace, time, and safety.
