Traffic diversion on MA Road hits vehicular movement to city centre areas

Srinagar, Aug 24: Traffic diversion at MA Road near Sangarmal intersection is causing massive inconvenience to commuters on the busy route.

Due to the diversion, all vehicles from Downtown bound for city centre areas via Lal Chowk have to take u-turn at intersection near J&K Bank headquarters. This causes massive traffic jam at the vital intersection taking a heavy toll on commuters.

“We have been suffering due to unnecessary traffic diversion near Sangarmal intersection towards MA Road. There is a constant massive traffic jam from Sangarmal to Kashmir Golf Course. Students and office goers suffer due to the diversion,” said Abdul Hamid, a commuter.

“We don’t understand the logic behind this traffic diversion. Even during peak morning and evening hours, this diversion is not opened. This diversion wastes our time and fuel. In case of a medical emergency, this diversion can risk lives of patients as even ambulance are stuck in jam on MA Road created by this unnecessary diversion,” Mehraj-ud-Din a commuter said.

The problem is compounded by the failure of authorities to restore a defunct traffic light system at the intersection.

“We appeal to authorities to remove the traffic diversion at Sangarmal intersection so that smooth flow of traffic is ensured. We are already suffering due to traffic diversions because of prolonged work in Downtown,” said another commuter.

SSP Traffic, Srinagar City, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah, had recently stated that “we will remove the diversions wherever it helps with the traffic flow.”