Traffic gridlock persists in towns along old National Highway

Anantnag, Nov 20: The old National Highway-1A, now referred to as the old National Highway, has become a driving nightmare despite the opening of NH-44 almost a decade ago.

The traffic congestion along this stretch, which passes through major towns in south Kashmir including Bijbehara, Awantipora, and Pampore has not eased much.

Initially, it was hoped that the construction of NH-44, which bypassed these towns, would decongest the old highway.

However, the towns along the old route are still mired in frequent, massive traffic jams.

“The authorities seem to have forgotten the old highway after NH-44 was thrown open,” residents say.

The 8-km Khanabal-Bijbehara stretch remains the worst affected due to traffic jams despite the Traffic Police being on their toes.

Many are calling for urgent widening of the old highway or, at the very least, addressing bottlenecks in key town stretches.

“The sections passing through these towns must be widened to reduce the chaotic traffic situation,” said Abdul Hamid, a shopkeeper at Bijbehara.

Adding to the congestion is the issue of parking.

With no designated parking spaces, cars line both sides of the highway in these busy towns, further choking the narrow roads.

“The lack of proper parking spaces forces people to park on the road, aggravating traffic jams,” said Irfan Ahmad of Awantipora.

He said that the widening of the road leading to the Islamic University of Science and Technology (IUST), Awantipora, and AIIMS Kashmir, which is set to begin operations soon from here, has become essential.

Even as the Traffic Police have erected plastic dividers at many places like Bijbehara, Awantipora, and Pampore towns, the problem persists.

The commuters travelling from Anantnag towards Srinagar are the worst sufferers as they have to pass through the Khanabal-Bijbehara stretch.

“I am posted in Srinagar and leave from home early in the morning, but the frequent traffic snarls on this stretch means I, at times, reach office late,” said Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, a government employee.

He said that the situation was particularly bad during peak hours - mornings and evenings.

“It does not take more than an hour to reach Srinagar, but the Khanabal-Bijbehara stretch consumes a lot of time - even more than 30 minutes at times,” Bhat said.

The residents have urged the administration to prioritise widening efforts and address related issues like parking.

“Even if the entire highway cannot be widened, resolving bottlenecks in town areas would provide significant relief,” locals said.