Slow pace of construction work outside Nishat Garden hits vehicular movement

Srinagar, June 12: Commuters have expressed resentment over slow pace of work on road outside the Nishat Garden here saying it is hampering vehicular movement on the vital route.

The commuters said that for the past several months, work on the road is going on under the Srinagar Smart City project. However, the slow pace of construction is taking toll on them.

The locals and daily commuters said that work on the road stretch connecting Foreshore Road and Shalimar Garden Road to the city centre via Boulevard has been going on at a snail’s pace. They said the barricades have been raised, and the construction material is lying around, choking the traffic.

“Crossing this road stretch has been a major trouble for commuters. It takes a long time to cross this narrow road stretch. We don’t understand what kinds of skyscrapers are being built here that it is taking a year. This is all because of the callous approach of authorities and concerned contractors who are not held accountable,” said Mushtaq Ahmad, a commuter.

The commuters and locals said that during the peak tourist season, there is a huge flow of tourist vehicles. They said that even on weekdays, the road is full of traffic jams, which inconveniences both locals and tourists.

“We are afraid to bring tourists here amid the mess. We often get stuck in the traffic jams. Given the peak tourist season, the authorities must have completed the work during winter, but it is going on at a snail’s pace,’ said Uzair Ahmad, a tourist cab operator.

The locals said that the road stretch is the main road link of many areas with the city centre, and they are immensely suffering due to slow work. They said the locals in areas like Ishber, Nishat, Brein, Shalimar, Harwan, New Theed, Chandpora, Tailbal, Darbagh, and adjoining areas are suffering due to the issue.

“The issue is taking a toll on passengers travelling in the local transport. Students and patients are also suffering. On a daily basis, the traffic jam spreads to Kilometers starting from Nishat,” said Sajid Ahmad, a local from Ishber.

They said that essential services like ambulances and school buses get stuck in traffic jams, creating issues. The commuters said that on Weekends, they are unable to move out due to traffic jams, and pedestrians in the area also feel unsafe. They decried inaction by Srinagar Smart City Ltd (SSCL) and urged it to expedite the work so that they don’t suffer.

The CEO of Srinagar Smart City did not answer multiple calls from this reporter for his comments.