Inordinate delay hits setting up of parking slots in Downtown Locals, traders aghast; we are facing several issues: SSCL
Srinagar, Jun 22: Failure of authorities to set up parking slots in Downtown is causing inconvenience to locals and traders.
Over the years, residents and traders of Downtown Srinagar have been craving for parking zones while the government has pushed the issue on back burner.
The aggrieved commuters and residents said that as they have to rely on the wrong parking and the inadequate road infrastructure of Downtown has further crumbled due to it. They said in Nowhatta, Khanyar, Nowpora, Khwajabazar, Rainawari, Gojwara, Kathidarwaza, Hawal, and several other areas, massive traffic jams are witnessed during peak hours. They said that in the absence of parking slots, commuters wrongly park vehicles on roads, triggering chronic jams for hours.
“It is challenging to commute via Downtown as the roads are mostly blocked due to wrong parking. The Old city is congested, and given the volume of traffic, there is a severe need for parking zones,” said Altaf Ahmad, a commuter.
The Downtown business community said that the parking issue has badly affected them. They said that despite the area being the oldest shopping hub, shoppers avoid downtown due to the lack of parking.
Nazir Ahmad Shah, President, Shaher-e-Khaas Traders Alliance, said the parking issue has persisted for years
“One of the biggest bottlenecks lies at Bohri Kadal Chowk, a crucial entry point which, if slightly widened, could drastically improve access to over a dozen connected markets. The revival of Downtown markets depends on removing such physical obstructions and creating space for smoother traffic flow. The congestion has become so frustrating, and even loyal customers from far-off areas are being pushed away in the absence of parking slots,” Shah said.
“This is a historic market, and people come here not only to shop but to visit revered shrines. But with growing urban demands, people now expect easy vehicular access, which we lack. We had long ago identified land for setting up of parking slots; however, it seems authorities are not interested in developing infrastructure in Downtown,” Shah said.
Ayaz Zehgeer from Downtown’s Beopar Mandal said that the government should involve the stakeholders in ensuring the creation of parking spaces.
“The business is taking a hit, and we are suffering badly. The markets in downtown don’t have any parking spaces, and people who come to shop in their vehicles prefer to go to the city center. The government has to invest seriously in this regard and take the business community and other stakeholders on board to ensure that the issue is resolved,” he said.
The residents said that the locality is already congested, and roadside parking takes a heavy toll on them. They said it hits the movement of essential services.
Srinagar Smart City Ltd authorities had identified a few parking zones in the Downtown. An official source said the projects hit a roadblock due to technical and other issues.
A senior official from SSCL said that the space for parking zones is getting hard to identify. “Last year, we identified a few parking zones in Downtown, but the project did not take off due to certain issues. We are keen to create parking zones in Downtown as the area is in dire need. We are pushing to explore ways to navigate the issues so that these zones can be identified and we can give some respite to the commuters,” he added.
