Ganderbal traders grapple with traffic, parking woes

Srinagar, Jan 1: Traders in Kashmir's Ganderbal district are facing mounting challenges due to severe traffic congestion and inadequate infrastructure, affecting their daily business operations and customer footfall.

The traffic situation has reached a critical point along the main commercial corridor. "It takes hours to reach our shops," says Ajaz Lolpuri, a local businessman. He notes that merchants commuting from other districts, particularly Srinagar, face grueling delays. The stretch from Nagbal Chowk to Beehama, typically a 2-kilometer distance, now requires nearly an hour to traverse during morning hours, severely impacting business hours and delivery schedules.

The parking crisis has emerged as another major hurdle for the business community. With no designated parking spaces, customers face constant challenges finding spots for their vehicles.

"Shoppers are often penalized or challenged for parking their vehicles, which directly affects our business," explains Lolpuri. The traders' association has been urging local authorities to develop dedicated parking facilities to ease this burden on both merchants and customers.

Further compounding these issues is the persistent problem of unreliable power supply. The area suffers from chronic low-voltage electricity, making it difficult for businesses to operate essential electronic equipment.

During peak business hours, traders struggle to keep their electronic gadgets and heating devices functioning properly, affecting sales and customer service.

These infrastructure gaps are particularly concerning given Ganderbal's growing importance as a commercial hub. Local traders emphasize that addressing these fundamental issues is crucial for the district's economic development and are calling for a comprehensive infrastructure upgrade plan from the government.

The business community has sought intervention from district authorities to implement both short-term solutions for traffic management and long-term infrastructure development to sustain the area's commercial growth.