Prolonged traffic jams on Barzulla-Sanat Nagar route pester commuters

Srinagar, Oct 7: Commuters have expressed concern over frequent traffic jams on Barzulla-Sanat Nagar route especially during peak hours.

The commuters said that the problem is compounded by the closure of an alternate route along Natipora Bund. They said that bumper-to-bumper traffic jams are causing traffic jams for long intervals.

“Our precious time gets wasted in traffic jams. There are hardly any traffic cops present to regulate the vehicular movement,” said Irfan Ahmad, a commuter.

The office goers and students said that during peak hours, it has become really difficult for them to navigate the route and they end up reaching late to their destinations.

“We are anxious on a daily basis about commuting via this route. Whenever coming back from the office in the evening, this issue causes huge inconvenience to office goers like me,” said Asif Ahamd, another commuter.

The locals said that essential services and other emergency vehicles get stuck in the traffic jams. They appealed to authorities to press more traffic cops on the ground to address the issue.

“For locals, this has become a headache. People living in the catchment area of the route like Barzulla, Natipora, Sanat Nagar, and adjoining areas are bearing the brunt,” said a local from Sanatnagar.

A senior official from Traffic police while acknowledging the issue said that the traffic jams are triggered because the alternate route via Natipor Bund is closed due to construction work.

“A retaining wall is being constructed there and that is why the traffic movement has been affected. We have asked the concerned authorities to speed up the construction so that the issue will be resolved swiftly,” said the official.