- ‘No Parking’ zone turns into a vehicle hub
- Ambulance movement disrupted
Bhopal: Traffic conditions outside Hamidia Hospital, one of Bhopal’s largest and busiest government medical institutions, have reached a breaking point. What’s supposed to be a ‘No Parking’ zone right in front of the hospital gate has now turned into a cluttered mess of haphazardly parked vehicles, creating major difficulties for pedestrians and patients alike.
The situation has become so dire that even ambulances are struggling to enter the hospital premises—posing a serious threat to emergency patients who require immediate care.
Adding fuel to the fire is a famous tea stall located along the same stretch of road. It draws massive footfall throughout the day, further crowding the already congested space and blocking a significant portion of the street.
Every day, thousands of patients and their families, many from distant regions, come to Hamidia Hospital in search of treatment and hope. But the utter lack of traffic discipline outside the facility often shatters that hope. From the main entrance to the surrounding roads, unauthorized parking by private vehicles and auto-rickshaws has virtually taken over the area.
This is despite clear ‘No Parking’ signs prominently displayed throughout the vicinity. Drivers, however, continue to ignore the rules, leaving their vehicles wherever they please. As a result, the roads narrow considerably, leading to long traffic snarls and delays.
The brunt of this chaos is borne by patients in urgent need of medical attention. Ambulances caught in traffic frequently fail to reach the hospital on time, sometimes with life-threatening consequences. Pedestrians, especially elderly people and women, find it extremely difficult and dangerous to cross the road, having to navigate through tight spaces between parked vehicles.
Locals and shopkeepers confirm that the problem has been escalating over time. What started with an occasional illegally parked vehicle has now become a rampant issue. Many drivers even abandon their cars in the middle of the road, bringing traffic to a complete standstill. It’s a clear indication that traffic rules are being openly flouted, with little to no enforcement.
If not addressed immediately, this worsening traffic situation outside Hamidia Hospital could lead to serious consequences—not just for commuters but also for patients whose lives depend on timely access to medical services.
