Illegal car parking, roadside kiosks choke approach road to GMC Baramulla

Baramulla, Dec 2: The approach road to the Government Medical College (GMC) at Kanth Bagh Baramulla has turned into a nightmare for patients and emergency services due to the rampant illegal parking of vehicles and the presence of roadside kiosks.

The congestion is causing severe inconveniences to those rushing to the hospital, hindering the smooth flow of ambulances, and endangering the lives of patients.

Patients and their attendants grapple with the chaotic situation created by the haphazardly parked vehicles and the unregulated presence of vendors’ kiosks.

“Patients often get stuck here due to the chaotic situation caused by these roadside kiosks and parked vehicles. There is no smooth passage to drop the patients in the hospital,” said Gulzar Ahmad, an attendant stuck in traffic with his patient.

The problem extends beyond inconvenience as it poses a significant threat to emergency cases, especially when ambulances struggle to navigate through the narrow lanes due to the parked vehicles.

At times, referral cases being shifted from Baramulla to the city hospital or from remote areas to GMC Baramulla find themselves stranded on the road, exacerbating the urgency of medical attention.

A hospital functionary, speaking on condition of anonymity, acknowledged the persistent problem and revealed that the matter was brought to the attention of the administration multiple times.

“Despite assurances from the rural traffic police that strict measures would be taken against illegal parking, no substantial changes have been observed,” the official said.

He said that a proposal to widen the road for a smoother passage of vehicles, especially ambulances, was submitted, but the process seems to have been inexplicably halted after initial communications.

“This issue demands urgent attention from the concerned authorities to implement effective measures, ensuring the unobstructed flow of traffic on the approach road to GMC Baramulla,” he said.

The Additional Deputy Commissioner (ADC) Baramulla Zahoor Ahmad Raina said that a drive was conducted twice to clear the encroachments on the road heading to GMC Baramulla.

“We will again launch a drive to clear the encroachments and will not allow parking of cars on the roadside. We will ensure that the ambulances and other vehicles carrying patients pass freely,” he told Greater Kashmir.