Roads leading to Baruipur railway station in South 24 Parganas are facing growing congestion as roadside stalls, shops, parked vehicles and informal vending occupy carriageways and footpaths, making access difficult for pedestrians and potentially obstructing emergency movement, according to a report by Bartaman Patrika.
The report focuses on Umacharan Roy Road, a narrow route used to reach Platform 1 of Baruipur station. Shops already line both sides of the road, while additional stalls are reportedly being installed wherever small stretches of open space are available. Goods displayed outside the shops are also spilling onto the road, reducing the space available for movement.
A similar situation has been reported on the road connecting Baruipur Kalitala More near the railway gate with the station. Stalls and shops have come up on the footpath, while motorcycles, scooters, toto vehicles, auto-rickshaws and bicycles are parked along both sides of the road. Food and goods vendors operating from vans are also reportedly occupying parts of the carriageway.
The accumulation of stalls, vehicles and merchandise has affected both pedestrian movement and access to shops. The report said residents and traders are increasingly frustrated by the situation. They alleged that the local police and administration have not taken effective action despite the continuing obstruction.
The congestion is reported to be particularly severe during office hours in the morning and after the evening rush. Illegal parking has contributed to traffic jams, while residents say traffic police are not regularly visible at the affected locations. The report also stated that ambulances may not be able to pass through the road when the obstruction is at its worst.
For commuters, the problem directly affects the last stretch of the journey to the railway station. Local resident Sandip Basu said vendors were setting up food stalls on vans according to their convenience and that people were unable to reach the station in time to catch their trains. He questioned why repeated complaints had not led to action, adding that the police would have to explain the continued inaction.
The report does not include a response from the Baruipur police, the local administration, the railway authorities or any municipal agency regarding enforcement, removal of obstructions, parking management or the protection of pedestrian access. It also does not specify whether any formal clearance drive, traffic plan or coordinated action has been scheduled. The immediate issue remains the unrestricted use of a narrow station approach road for vending, parking and the display of goods, leaving commuters and emergency vehicles with limited space to pass.