Unregulated parking of vehicles has become a major factor contributing to worsening traffic congestion in Khulna city.

In several busy intersections, parking lanes have been marked directly on the roads, leaving only a narrow portion for vehicular movement and causing severe traffic gridlocks.

During visits to affected areas such as Moilapota Mor, located between Khulna City Medical College and Ahsanullah College, in front of Baitun Noor Market near New Market, and at Dak Bungalow Intersection on Old Jashore Road, it was observed that around half of the road's space is being used for parking.

Along KDA Avenue, MA Bari Road, and the Hadis Park area, at least 10 clinics and diagnostic centres, as well as 15 banks and corporate offices, are situated on both sides of the roads, yet there are very few designated parking facilities.

Consequently, half of the road remains occupied by illegally parked vehicles.

From KDA Avenue to Sat Rasta Mor, similar issues persist, with many portions of the road taken up for parking motorcycles.

Asaduzzaman Babu, a bookshop owner in Moilapota Mor, said with Khulna's roads already narrow, allocating a significant portion for illegal parking has further reduced their width, severely disrupting traffic movement.

"During peak hours in the morning and evening, the situation becomes worse. Commuters heading to work or returning home are forced to spend extra time stuck in traffic," he added.

Golam Rosul, a private bank employee, said most commercial buildings lack dedicated parking facilities, which forces vehicles to park on the streets.

Mahbubur Rahman Munna, general secretary of the Nirapad Sarak Chai's Khulna city unit, demanded immediate action against illegal parking on roads.

The city residents, including civil society members, said every commercial building owner must arrange proper garage and parking facilities instead of using the roads. They called for building multi-storey modern parking plazas to accommodate vehicles.

They alleged that instead of preventing illegal parking, police personnel allow it in exchange for money.

Contacted, Shofiqul Islam, deputy commissioner (traffic) of Khulna Metropolitan Police, declined to respond.

When approached, KMP Commissioner Md Julfikar Ali Haider sent a text message indicating a willingness to discuss the matter further: "Please visit my office at your convenience. We can share our observations and experiences."