Temporary stalls erected along the busy Rajgarh Road during the three-day Shoolini Fair continue to occupy a significant portion of the carriageway despite the fair having concluded, causing traffic congestion and inconvenience to residents, commuters and traders.
The stalls have narrowed the road, disrupting the flow of traffic on both Rajgarh Road and the adjoining Mall Road. Motorists travelling to the Regional Hospital and several private diagnostic centres have reported long delays due to persistent congestion.
Rajgarh Road serves as a key link to neighbouring Sirmaur district and witnesses heavy traffic throughout the day, including inter-district buses operating to and from Rajgarh, Oachghat and Narag. Residents alleged that despite the inconvenience and safety concerns faced by commuters over the past few days, the Solan Municipal Corporation has failed to remove the temporary structures.
“The state government upgraded the Shoolini Fair to a national-level event and permitted amusement rides at the Thodo Ground for 10 days. However, no religious or cultural activities are now taking place in the city. Decorative lights installed for the fair from June 26 to 28 have already been removed, but allowing these stalls to continue occupying the roads serves no purpose,” said trader Mukesh Gupta.
The local business community has also expressed resentment, alleging that the temporary stall owners are operating without paying taxes, adversely affecting established businesses.
“There is no justification for allowing these stalls to remain on the main roads even several days after the fair ended,” said Kushal Jethi, a representative of the Beopar Mandal. He added that traders had urged the administration either to remove the stalls or relocate them to the Thodo Ground, but no effective action had been taken.
Traders further alleged that while the civic body carried out a token drive on Tuesday by removing a few stalls from the Mall Road, most continued to operate.
“I spent nearly 40 minutes travelling from the Mall Road to the Regional Hospital because traffic was moving at a snail’s pace,” said Ajay Kumar, who was taking a relative for a medical check-up.
Residents said the stalls, set up on both sides of Rajgarh Road at several locations, have also obstructed pedestrian movement. The road houses several private hospitals and emergency services, including the fire station, making smooth traffic movement particularly important.
In view of the large crowds that visit Solan during the annual fair, residents and traders have urged the district administration to shift cultural events to the Police Ground on the outskirts of the town in future to minimise disruption in the city’s commercial and residential areas.
