Malvani: Residents of Malvani are facing severe daily hardships due to persistent traffic congestion worsened by ongoing bridge construction at Gate No. 6. The work, which began four months ago on a nala bridge at Abdul Hamid Road, has narrowed the route and intensified the gridlock. Officials admit that completion will take at least eight more months, leaving locals bracing for extended disruption.
Commuters say the problem has reached a breaking point. Mohammad Farooq Ansari, a visitor, said the thought of reaching from the station to Mhada is enough to create fear, as vehicles crawl from the fire brigade stretch onwards. Residents complain that even at midnight, traffic jams offer no relief. Many argue that earlier facilities, such as the now-closed Evershine Nagar bridge, had provided some respite, especially for two-wheelers.
Local voices highlight the social cost of the crisis. Candidate Ismail Shaikh remarked that traffic jams have become Malvani’s destiny, forcing many families to relocate. Comparisons with other neighborhoods have further fueled discontent, as residents allege neglect despite Malvani’s dense population. Ram Naresh Yadav pointed to slow bridge work and earlier closures as the main cause of worsening jams.
The congestion also disrupts daily life. Around five schools are located near Gate No. 6, and during afternoon dismissals, chaos peaks. Sharing taxi drivers often abandon routes out of frustration. Residents like Haji Abdullah Khan, who has lived in Malvani for over 25 years, stress that traffic now surpasses water and drainage as the area’s biggest issue.
Former corporator Moin Siddiqui, acknowledging public anger, said construction is in three phases and will take months to finish. He assured residents that parallel roadwork near Eliya Sarwat School and Ahl-e-Hadith Masjid is nearing completion, which will bring some relief. Until then, residents remain caught in long hours of gridlock and rising frustration.
