Ranchi: Vehicles parked along roads on the outskirts of Ranchi could turn into accident hazards during winter, when dense morning fog reduces visibility and makes it difficult for motorists to spot stationary obstacles, commuters said.Several such vehicles have been noticed along stretches in Namkum, near Tilta Chowk, towards Pandra and in Dhurwa, particularly on roads leading to national highways. The concern is greater on roads where vehicles remain parked for long periods, occupy part of the carriageway and force motorists to manoeuvre around them.During low visibility, drivers may not spot such vehicles until they are close, leaving little time to brake or change lanes safely. Two-wheeler riders are especially vulnerable to sudden obstructions.“During fog, it becomes difficult to see what lies ahead, especially in the early hours. If a vehicle is parked on the road without warning signs or reflectors, a driver may notice it only at the last moment,” said Pranav, a commuter who regularly travels along the Namkum stretch.Sahil Ram, another commuter travelling towards Pandra, said roadside parking was a serious concern on routes carrying traffic towards national highways.“These roads are used by people travelling outside the city as well as commuters. If unused vehicles are left along the roadside, they can become dangerous when visibility drops. Such vehicles should be identified and removed before winter fog intensifies,” he said.The issue has gained attention after transport minister Deepak Birua took cognisance of haphazard roadside parking. In a recent social media post, he urged people not to use main and connecting roads as parking spaces. He also asked district administrations to involve district transport officers (DTOs) and motor vehicle inspectors in enforcement drives, stating that roadside parking obstructs traffic and increases the risk of accidents.Ranchi district transport officer Akhilesh Kumar said two road safety teams had been formed to identify vehicles parked along roads and submit reports to the department.“The teams are surveying various road stretches and submitting reports. The Ranchi-Bundu and Booty More-Ormanjhi stretches have been identified as critical, with a large number of vehicles parked along these routes. Action will be taken against such vehicles based on the reports,” he said.
