A good beginning

Every city has its own rhythm, but Srinagar’s streets are being tested like never before. Even prestigious stretches — from Lal Chowk to Dargah, SKIMS, State Hospital, and other major areas — are encroached upon, sometimes up to the middle of the road. Footpaths, though wide, are often blocked by vendors or parked vehicles. While designated spaces for street vendors are crucial for their livelihood, the current disorder disrupts traffic, safety, and daily life. Even the best-looking streets are of little use if buses, autos, taxis, or private vehicles halt randomly, footpaths are occupied, or roads are turned into unofficial marketplaces.

Shortcomings are opportunities

Traffic jams at narrow stretches, missing bus stops, poorly managed U-turns, blocked footpaths, and chaotic parking are glaring issues. In the 1980s, Srinagar had some designated bus stops but in 2025, they seem almost nonexistent. Today, any bus, auto, taxi, or private vehicle can stop anywhere at will, creating random halts, frustration, and risk. These are not minor inconveniences — they are urgent signals demanding correction.

Government efforts are ad-hoc, not enough

Enforcement remains largely reactive. Police patrols and occasional crackdowns can move violators along, but such measures are temporary and inconsistent. Srinagar cannot function on ad-hoc policing alone. There should be no tolerance for violations, but more importantly, there must be permanent solutions built into the system. Streets, footpaths, traffic signals, and vendor zones must enforce rules automatically, not depend on occasional crackdowns.

What beeds focus

The administration inherits both progress and glaring gaps. The next steps must be practical, strict, and citizen-focused:

• Proper bus and taxi stops: Clear, accessible, and well-marked stops to give public transport a steady rhythm and reduce random halts.
• Strict management of encroachments: Wide footpaths are often unusable due to illegal parking and vendors. Hospitals, schools, offices, and markets cannot remain obstructed. Proper, designated spaces for street vendors are essential, allowing them to earn a livelihood while keeping streets safe and passable.
• Redesigned U-turns: Poorly placed or narrow U-turns create daily bottlenecks. Minor adjustments and clear signage can ease congestion instantly.
• Effective parking systems: Clearly designated zones, strict enforcement, and multi-level parking in high-density areas are critical to keep traffic flowing.
• Safe pedestrian crossings and usable footpaths: Footpaths must remain clear; crossings should be well-marked, especially near schools, hospitals, and busy intersections.
• System-driven enforcement: Traffic police cannot be everywhere. Technology and planning — cameras, automatic penalties, digital monitoring — must enforce discipline more reliably than sporadic crackdowns.
• Responsible driving by citizens: Traffic rules work only if followed. Drivers must avoid rushing, remain in lanes, and resist zig-zagging to get ahead. Calm, disciplined driving reduces accidents, prevents bottlenecks, and complements enforcement efforts.

A smarter approach

A smart city is not just roads, lights, or aesthetics — it is streets that function, traffic that flows, and citizens who move safely. Shortcomings are natural, but persistent encroachments, chaotic parking, careless driving, and random vehicle stops are preventable. Firm, consistent action, supported by disciplined citizen behaviour, is the only path to real progress.

Instead of asking, “What went wrong?” we should ask, “How do we make it right?” With calm corrections, practical planning, strong enforcement, and responsible citizens, Srinagar can turn this promising beginning into the smart, liveable city it was always meant to be.