Traffic jam forces Deputy CM to walk 4 km from Mir Bazar to Qazigund

Anantnag, Oct 18: In an unusual sight on the Srinagar-Jammu national highway, Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Chaudhary was forced to abandon his vehicle and walk nearly 4 kilometres from Mir Bazar to Qazigund after being stuck in a massive traffic jam while travelling from Srinagar to Jammu.

The traffic snarl, which lasted over an hour, sparked a flurry of reactions on social media. “If Deputy CM Surinder Chaudhary faces this, what about the common people?” one user remarked, highlighting growing concerns over traffic management in the region.

Officials say traffic along the Vesu–Mir Bazar–Qazigund stretch has worsened recently due to fruit-laden trucks leaving Kashmir for markets elsewhere. “There are already snarls on the highway, and the fruit harvest season only adds to the misery,” said Mudasir, a local shopkeeper in Vesu.

Commuters, students, and office-goers are equally affected. “I leave home early from Srinagar, but frequent traffic jams mean I often reach the office late,” said Riyaz Ahmad Bhat, a government employee from Qazigund. He added that peak hours in the morning and evening make the situation particularly challenging.

Tourists are not spared either. “We want to reach picnic spots quickly and enjoy our day, but the traffic mess is spoiling our plans,” said a woman tourist from West Bengal.

The incident has renewed calls for better traffic management and infrastructure upgrades along the congested stretch.