Traffic jams pester commuters as Dalgate Bridge construction lingers

Srinagar, May 12: Commuters have expressed resentment over slow pace of construction of Dalgate Bridge saying this has hit smooth vehicular movement in the city centre areas.

They said that the lingering project has created a traffic bottleneck near Badyari Chowk Dalgate for over a year now.

They said that the busy road that links many areas, including the City Centre, Downtown, and Boulevard, has been facing chronic traffic jams due to delay in the completion of the project. Commuters said that the road connected by the bridge is the main entry point into the Downtown, and there is a huge influx of traffic.

“We are reluctant to take this route but we don’t have any option. The traffic along Dalgate during morning and evening hours is huge, taking a toll on us as we get stuck for hours,” said Rayees Ahmad, a local from Khanyar.

An official from the traffic department said that they have to rely on traffic diversions to ensure the least inconvenience to commuters. He said vehicles coming from Downtown take other routes instead of Badyari Crossing, which has overburdened the other routes as well.

“We can understand that it is causing hardships to commuters. We are hopeful that work will be completed soon, and it will help in streamlining the traffic and avoiding traffic jams,” an official said.

Commuters said that reaching Downtown, the city centre, or Boulevard has become a hectic task amid the slow pace of bridge construction. They said that as Downtown and adjoining areas are undergoing various projects, they are left confused about what route to take and what to avoid.

“Given the importance of the bridge amid peak tourist season, there should be round-the-clock work to ensure speedy completion of the bridge. However, the work is going on at a snail’s pace,” said Sahil Wani, another commuter.

The locals said that essential services vehicles and Ambulances are also stuck in traffic jams as the “officials are sleeping on the issue.” “Students commuting in these areas have to reach on time, but the issue has created problems for them. We appeal to the concerned authorities to ensure that the bridge is completed with no further delay,” said a local from Dalgate.

A senior official from the R&B department said that the work on the bridge is proceeding swiftly and that they will ensure that it is completed in mid-June.

“Majority of the work has been done, and we are hopeful that the remaining work will completed by mid-June. The bridge will be soon open for traffic, and commuters will have respite,” said the official.