Shopian gridlock worsens as heavy vehicles flood town
Shopian, Oct 19: South Kashmir’s Shopian town is once again grappling with severe traffic congestion as heavy trucks and construction vehicles move through the town during peak hours, bringing daily life to a standstill and sparking public outrage over official inaction.
Residents say dumpers and tippers loaded with sand, gravel, and stones routinely navigate the town’s narrow streets, creating long traffic jams that can last for hours. The situation worsens during the apple harvest season, when fruit-laden trucks add to the gridlock.
“It has almost become impossible to move around,” said Mubahsir Ahmad, a daily commuter between Imamsahib and Shopian. “You get stuck in jams so often that people now avoid coming here unless necessary.”
The worst congestion occurs on the stretch leading to the District Hospital, where ambulances, patients, and attendants frequently get trapped. Witnesses say patients are often forced to abandon their vehicles and walk to the hospital.
“Many attendants carry their patients on their backs amid the heavy traffic jams,” said Mitha Gatoo, a Shopian-based social activist. “It’s inhuman. Nobody seems to care.”
Residents also allege that some dumpers, lacking registration numbers, indulge in reckless driving, further exacerbating the chaos. The persistent congestion has disrupted commuting, hurt local businesses, and hampered emergency movement in the busy apple town, which is known as South Kashmir’s horticultural hub.
“Ambulances often get stuck in traffic jams along the Pinjoora-Sofanamam junction,” Gatoo added.
Local residents recalled that a few years ago, authorities had installed overhead barricades at town entry points to restrict heavy trucks, which had briefly eased congestion. “However, the barricades were either damaged or removed later, and we have no idea who did it,” said a shopkeeper. “After they were removed, trucks started entering the town again, especially during morning and evening hours.”
Suhail Malik, Executive Officer of the Municipal Council Shopian, told Greater Kashmir that a new Master Plan for the town is being prepared. “It will help ease traffic woes. Additionally, the completion of multi-level parking on Hospital Road will further help in decongesting the area,” he added.
