For the first time the city police have issued a primary directive for setting up vehicle parking zones in the Golwad area. And although the police directive put the measure as a step to prevent traffic congestion in the already narrow 23 lanes that run through Golwad, it fails to impress many, as it appears as a step primarily to contain the flow of liquor in Golwad.

Reliable sources in the department told Express Newsline that while traffic congestion is an acute problem in the narrow lanes of Golwad, the primary objective is to ensure that ``deliberate attempts being made by residents to block police entry in Golwad are nullified.''

According to the directive, all vehicles in the lanes of Golwad should be parked on the north side of the East-West direction lanes on odd number dates and on the south side of the road on even number dates. This law will be applicable to the Galka Sheri no. 1 and 2, Limbda Sheri no. 1 and 2, Nava Pool, Ahmedabadi Sheri no. 1, 2 and 3, Kamla Kui Sheri, Hanuman Tekra no. 1 and 2, Kanta Ni Waad, Navi Sadak, Kanbi Sheri, Nagardas Ni Sheri, Purabia Sheri, Pipardi Sheri, Vachli Sheri no. 1 and 2, Ali No Tekro, Machhipura Sheri and Sheri no. 2(a).

Similarly, vehicles will also be have to be parked along those lanes running in the North-South direction. All parking should be done on odd number dates on the east of Navchakdia Sheri and Pathanwaad No Tekro and on the west sides of the lanes on even number dates. Any objections to the clauses of the primary directive issued here on August 21 - will be required in writing before one month.

Both police and the prohibition department are of opinion that the lanes in Golwad are too narrow for a large-sized four-wheeler to enter and pass through. On several occasions in the past the police has been attacked while entering the lanes. This apparently prompted it to deploy more than 600 personnel for the raid on Golwad earlier this year. In addition, most residents of the area park their vehicles on the lanes itself, making it impossible even for two-wheeler movement in the lanes at times.

A police official here told the Express Newsline that the department had received a report on the need to have better access into Golwad. ``Traffic congestion is a problem and the police commissioner has the authority to issue such a directive. But this directive will obviously solve a dual purpose. In fact the order is meant to ensure better police access into the area.'' It is learnt that the report was submitted to the commissioner by a DCP-level city police official.

The residents do not seem to have a problem with the narrow lanes as such. In fact they stand to benefit with narrower lanes and more vehicles parked haphazardly. Moreover, the directive has come at just the right time as liquor flow usually rises during election times.