Bandipora faces traffic mess in absence of bypass road

Bandipora, Nov 3: The Bandipora district headquarters in north Kashmir has been grappling with a traffic mess for years, and assurances from successive regimes to construct a bypass have not materialised. Residents are now making renewed appeals to the government to address the issue.

Traveling from the market stretch via Kaloosa to Nebrepora—a distance of nearly three kilometers—has become a constant headache for commuters, as the route remains mostly clogged.

Despite the town and market area being rebuilt and facelifted decades ago in the 1960s under a master plan, which earned it the status of the first model town in Jammu and Kashmir's history, encroachment over the years has severely impacted this development.

Additionally, two parallel roads along the market area have been rendered useless for traffic movement, undermining the original purpose of the model town and adding to commuters' woes.

Locals point out that population growth and an increase in vehicular traffic have only worsened the problem.

Successive regimes have been accused of doing "little to nothing" to alleviate the traffic mess, even after relocating the bus stand to the Nusoo and Kaloosa areas.

More recently, the administration has begun constructing a parking space near Gulshan Chowk, but locals believe that a single parking facility will not solve the problem, especially while the promised bypass road remains stalled at the Detailed Project Report (DPR) stage in various offices.

"The traffic mess has literally become unbearable. One has to think multiple times before deciding whether to take the car or not," said Nazir Ahmad, a town resident.

"It feels like we are cursed when we get stuck in the market due to narrow roads, lack of parking, and poor traffic regulation. Development is an absurd concept without road widening and efforts to resolve the traffic jam issues," he added.

Auqib Javid, another resident, stated that it is high time for the government to take action on the issue.

"This is the need of the hour. The entire market remains choked all the time. Aside from vehicles, people find it very hard to move. If constructed, the new bypass will definitely provide relief to commuters," he said.

Over the decades, various authorities and political leaders have advocated for the bypass, but none have materialised. In 2020, the Municipal Council Bandipora submitted a ₹23 crore DPR, but the project never received approval.

Although the parking space project has been pending approval since then, it is now being executed this year.

Attempts have been made over the years to allow circular traffic movement from Nowpora to Nusoo via Ranger Khan and to facilitate auto rickshaw movement through Khadim Market. Vendors and vegetable markets were also provided space in the old bus stand; however, residents contend that the basic problem remains unaddressed.

"I always dread traveling into Bandipora town. The traffic mess in the market area gives me a headache. The narrow roads, mismanagement of traffic, and lack of proper parking contribute to this chaos," said Mudasir Mushtaq, a frequent commuter from Sumbal.

Surprisingly, in 2019, the then DC Bandipora ordered the removal of encroachments with much fanfare by serving eviction notices; however, the execution saw no progress. "Yet the easy way out from the mess in the form of a bypass is witnessing no advancement," said Ayaz Ahmad Lone, a local resident.

Scores of locals have pinned their hopes on the new government and local representatives to make a stride in this matter and address the long-pending demand.