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Vrindavan, 2015.11.08 (DJ): One of the most important intersections in Vrindavan is called the Vidyapeeth Chauraha. Situated at the crossing of Banke Bihari Marg with the Chattikara Road, this is the current site of most of the town’s traffic logjams.
Near the intersection are two illegal tempo stands that increase the congestion. Moreover, tourists coming all the way into the central part of the town make it almost impossible to move, especially on weekends. In the month of Karttik, when visitors to this Sacred Center cars increase, thousands of devotees are forced to negotiate their way through on obstacle course when on the way to have darshan of Banke Bihari as they pass through the intersection.
People living in the vicinity of Vidyapeeth Chauraha and the surrounding area have been expressing anguish at the fact that it seems whenever you have to pass through the intersection, it remains blocked. Kishorpura resident Brij Mohan Sharma explains that even to cross this small bit of terrain requires fifteen minutes to half an hour. The clustered Tempos and long lines of cars always make it difficult for those who are trying to pass.
Pattharpura residents Ramesh Sharma and Brajaballabh Goswami said that Tempo drivers have made two stands near to Vidyapeeth Chauraha. “Moreover,” they added, “they stop right in the intersection to pick up and drop off passengers. And people coming from out of town often park wherever they can find a few inches of space and then wander off leaving the vehicle there to further encroach on the road. Kiosks and shops that constantly encroach further and further onto the thoroughfare add to the problem. But the greatest problems are for the pedestrians.”
Karolbagh Delhi residents Mohan Chawla and his brother Vijay Chawla are frequent visitors to the Dham along with their families. They say that it is a difficult experience to have to make their way through so many vehicles criss-crossing the road, pointing in every direction, trying to turn around and further blocking the road. “And when a bus tries to get through, everything can come to a standstill for hours,” they said.
Says Jagannath Poddar of Friends of Vrindavan, “We have been warning of the problems caused by increased traffic for years. With the improved communications from Delhi and more and more people having cars, we are seeing more and more traffic in the town, but Vrindavan was not built for so many vehicles . Even the main streets are narrow and barely have enough width to allow two cars to pass in either direction. It is time that the city took action and limited vehicular traffic in the center of the town.”
“Vrindavan was meant for pedestrians,” he added, “for barefoot pilgrims who want to enjoy visiting the temples in peace and not be harassed by honking drivers spewing exhaust fumes and blocking their passage.”
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