Prolonged traffic jams at Rawalpora intersection take toll on commuters

Srinagar, Sep 16: Frequent traffic jams at the Rawalpora intersection near flood spill channel has turned into a major issue for commuters and locals.

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 have to face a tough time to pass through the intersection due to unregulated traffic flow from Bagh-e-Mehtab and Peerbagh.

The problem gets compounded as not a single traffic policeman has been posted at the spot to ensure smooth vehicular movement. “We are suffering from prolonged traffic jams at the intersection most of the time.

The continuous movement of tippers, trucks, and school buses on narrow road links roads from Bagh-e-Mehtab and Peerbagh severely hits vehicular movement,” said Waseem Ahmad, a local.

“Absence of traffic cops at the busy intersection adds to traffic mess. In fact we have never seen a traffic cop manning traffic from Sanat Nagar to Rangreth,” rued Suhail Ahmad, a commuter.

“During peak hours, commuters are stuck in traffic jams at the intersection for hours. Several accidents have occurred at the spot as vehicles from four sides are stranded near Rawalpora bridge,” said Showkat Ahmad, driver of a passenger bus.

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

“The then Roads and Buildings minister, Syed Altaf Bukhari was instrumental in getting the bridge connected Rawalpora. This is the responsibility of Altaf Bukhari to resolve the problem now. He is contesting elections from our constituency and has promised to resolve all our problems if he wins elections. We pin hope on Bukhari to end the traffic mess on Rawalpora intersection. Our precious time get waste in traffic jams. This will be a litmus test for Altaf Bukhari to resolve the issue,” said Riyaz Dar, a frequent commuter on Rangreth route.