Encroachment of footpaths, roads hamper movement of commuters in Srinagar
Srinagar, Feb 2: Encroachment of footpaths and roads by vendors and shopkeepers in various areas of the summer capital causes immense inconvenience to commuters.
Commuters said that vendors and shopkeepers have encroached roads and footpaths at Hari Singh High Street, Batamaloo, Sarai Bala, Jawahar Nagar, Baba Demb, Habba Kadal, Dalgate near the main gate of the Chest Diseases Hospital, Sonwar, Bohri Kadal, Nowhatta, Rajouri Kadal, Alamgari Bazar and Soura.
The encroachment hinders the movement of commuters. A delegation of locals from the Batamaloo area said that the shopkeepers in the area have occupied the main road to display their goods.
“This is causing inconvenience to commuters. Some hawkers even use loudspeakers all day, which adds to our problems. The encroachment not only narrows down the road but also leads to traffic congestion and accidents,” they said.
Meanwhile, many commuters and office goers in the city center Lal Chowk said that they are also facing inconvenience due to encroachment of roads. They said places like Amira Kadal and adjoining areas are marred with encroachment. The office goers said that encroachment of roads and footpaths by street vendors from Regal Chowk to Amira Kadal hampers pedestrian and vehicular movement in the busy area.
“It also leads to traffic bottlenecks and we lose precious time in navigating through the area. I wonder how they call Srinagar a Smart City,” said Asif Ahmad, a commuter.
The commuters and pedestrians said that encroachment is also hindering the movement of emergency vehicles in these areas.
“Amid the growing fire incidents, encroachment of roads hinders the movement of fire tenders and Ambulances. These encroachments need to be removed without any delay and we hope authorities will act upon these issues,” said the locals.
A senior official from SMC’s anti-encroachment wing said that they will ensure to launch special drives in affected areas.
‘We have already carried out several drives and we will continue to do so. More drives will be carried out in the mentioned areas so that commuters and pedestrians don’t face any inconvenience,” he said.