Footpath parking on Prakasam Road in Broadway is forcing pedestrians to walk alongside moving traffic, creating a safety risk on a busy stretch lined with commercial establishments, schools and homes, according to residents and a traffic police official.
The obstruction is particularly serious during the morning and evening peak hours, when pedestrian and vehicle movement increases. Two-wheelers and cars are being parked on the footpath and along its edges, leaving little usable space for people walking through the area.
A resident, Vicky, said the problem had continued for several years and was making it difficult for children and senior citizens to move safely along the roadside. “As vehicles are parked on the footpath, pedestrians are forced to walk on the road. The problem is worse during the morning and evening peak hours, making it difficult for children and senior citizens to walk safely along the roadside,” he said.
Vicky called for parked vehicles to be removed and for the footpath to remain accessible to the public. The account points to the immediate conflict between pedestrian movement and informal roadside parking on a corridor that serves several types of users throughout the day.
Shopkeeper Balaji said parking had become common after motorists began following others who left their vehicles at the same locations. He also said some homes did not have sufficient parking space, leading residents to leave vehicles along the roadside. Vehicles parked outside shops and houses further reduce the space available for pedestrians, he said.
A traffic police official said roadside parking had increased because the area was predominantly commercial. The official said some families owned more than one car and parked them along the roadside, contributing to traffic congestion. The official also said awareness was being created among motorists and fines were being imposed on those who violated parking rules.
According to the official, action was being taken against repeat offenders. The enforcement response comes as pedestrians continue to share the carriageway with moving vehicles where footpath access has been blocked. The report does not specify the number of fines issued, the length of the affected stretch or whether a designated alternative parking arrangement is planned for the area.
The traffic police said awareness efforts and enforcement would continue to prevent violations, while appropriate action would be taken against motorists who repeatedly park in breach of the rules.
