Ulhasnagar’s much-awaited cement-concrete road, built at a staggering cost of ₹23 crore to decongest traffic, has been reduced to half its intended use. More than 50 percent of the newly developed Shanti Nagar–Dolphin stretch has been encroached upon by heavy trucks, illegally parked by transporters and businesses, leaving citizens outraged and the project’s purpose largely defeated.
The road, designed to act as a key arterial connector for the industrial and residential hubs of Ulhasnagar, was envisioned to bring lasting relief from potholes and congestion. However, instead of smooth traffic flow, residents now find themselves stuck in longer snarls as heavy vehicles line up along the sides, blocking lanes. Locals argue that the road has effectively turned into a vast parking lot, undoing the very benefits it promised. Surrounded by warehouses, garages, and chemical-related businesses, the road has quickly become a hotspot for illegal truck parking. Transport operators have taken advantage of lax enforcement, parking vehicles across the route during peak hours. Citizens complain that this has not only worsened travel time but has also raised safety concerns, particularly for pedestrians and schoolchildren.
Municipal sources confirmed that the project was funded by the Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) as part of regional infrastructure improvement. While the construction was largely welcomed, the enforcement of road use has lagged. Residents recall that the earlier road was riddled with potholes and avoided by commuters. The rebuilding brought optimism, but illegal parking has left them disillusioned. Local civic officials admitted that previous punitive actions were taken in coordination with the traffic police, including fines amounting to nearly ₹2 lakh. Yet, the violations persist, highlighting the inadequacy of periodic fines as a deterrent. Transporters, emboldened by inconsistent monitoring, continue to use public infrastructure for private storage.
Urban mobility experts say the situation underscores a deeper issue with India’s approach to urban planning. Roads built at such high costs without adequate planning for designated parking zones or strict enforcement inevitably risk being repurposed by dominant commercial interests. In a city already struggling with air pollution and congestion, such misuse of public infrastructure contradicts the broader goals of sustainable and equitable urban growth. Citizens are now demanding stricter and sustained enforcement from traffic police and the municipal body. Many argue that without continuous monitoring and stricter penalties, the problem will only escalate. The frustration is palpable, as residents feel deprived of infrastructure that was meant to serve them, not transporters.
Officials insist that renewed action will be taken to clear the encroachments. However, unless illegal parking is permanently curbed and designated logistics zones are created, the ₹23 crore investment risks becoming yet another example of infrastructure compromised by weak governance. For Ulhasnagar, the issue has become symbolic of a larger battle — whether public projects will genuinely serve citizens or remain vulnerable to misuse by powerful business interests. The answer may well determine the city’s ability to create cleaner, safer, and more sustainable roads in the years ahead.
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