Haphazard movement of e-buses creates traffic gridlocks on Srinagar’s key routes

Srinagar, Jul 28: The e-buses, aimed at easing urban transport in the summer capital, are increasingly becoming a source of inconvenience to commuters.

The commuters said that on key routes along Downtown, Dalgate Boulevard, the lack of dedicated bus stops and the introduction of double-decker tourist buses and large electric city buses have impacted the traffic flow.

Residents and daily commuters say the problem has worsened as the tourist rush to the Mughal Garden and other parks has picked up. They said the e-buses frequently halt on narrow roads to pick up passengers, causing long traffic tailbacks and commuter fatigue.

“From Nishat to Dalgate, it’s chaos every morning. These massive buses stop randomly, leaving no space for cars to move. Add to that the tourist taxis and the regular crowd near the garden, it is a nightmare,” said Umar Mir, a local from Ishber locality.

Locals point out that despite the buses being equipped with modern tech and GPS tracking, they are operating without a structured system, defeating the very purpose of being ‘smart’.

“These buses were supposed to bring order. Instead, they stop wherever someone waves them down, just like a matador,” said  Faisal, a commuter from Downtown.

The aggrieved party stated that congestion is most acute during peak hours, with schools, offices, and tourist groups all contributing to the traffic load. They said the absence of fixed bus halts means that buses pull over every few meters, often blocking entire lanes and slowing movement for all road users.

“It feels like the authorities launched these buses without creating the basic infrastructure needed to support them. What is the point of a Smart City project if it adds more problems than it solves,” said another aggrieved.

Greater Kashmir had previously reported extensively on the lack of dedicated bus stops, and officials at the time had assured that permanent stops would be developed specifically for the Smart City fleet. However, locals say no such progress is visible on the ground.

As Srinagar continues to balance local commuting needs with tourism promotion, residents hope that proper traffic planning and timely infrastructure upgrades don’t remain just promises.