Persistent traffic jams at Rawalpora intersection irk commuters

Srinagar, Oct 22: Commuters have expressed resentment over the failure of authorities to streamline vehicular movement at the Rawalpora intersection.

Frequent traffic jams at the Rawalpora intersection near the bridge over the flood spill channel are giving tough time to commuters.

The intersection has to cater to heavy traffic to and fro Rangreth, Humhama, Peerbagh, and Bagh-e-Mehtab. The route assumes significance as it leads to Rangreth Industrial Estate and Old Airfield. Commuters face a tough time to pass through the intersection due to unregulated traffic flow simultaneously from Bagh-e-Mehtab and Peerbagh.

The problem gets compounded as not a single traffic policeman has been posted at the vital intersection. Sajad Ahmad, a frequent traveller on the route said prolonged traffic jams at the intersection subject commuters to inconvenience. The problem is compounded by a continuous movement of tippers, trucks, and school buses on narrow road links roads from Bagh-e-Mehtab and Peerbagh— severely hitting smooth vehicular movement.

“It is ironic that the busy intersection has been left without traffic cops,” said Riyaz Ahmad a commuter pointing towards a massive traffic jam at the intersection.  

Commuters said the intersection frequently witnesses accidents as vehicles from four sides move at the same time near Rawalpora Bridge.

The residents said the problem started after the construction of a bridge over the Doodhganga stream connecting Bagh-e-Mehtab with Rawalpora in 2019.  They said the problem has assumed horrendous dimensions as most of the vehicles including buses, trucks and tippers from Chadoora use Rawalpora route to enter Srinagar.

The commuters make a fervent appeal to SSP Traffic to take immediate measures for streaming vehicular movement on the intersection.