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Traffic jams pester commuters in Srinagar

They said in the absence of traffic cops, major junctions are left at the mercy of defunct traffic lights and diversions
11:13 PM Jan 24, 2025 IST | Auqib Salam
traffic jams pester commuters in srinagar
Mubashir Khan/GK
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Srinagar, Jan 24: Commuters faced a tough time today due to massive traffic jams in various areas of the summer capital.

Commuters said that traffic jams on important junctions and flyovers across the city centre took toll on them during peak hours. They said in the absence of traffic cops, major junctions are left at the mercy of defunct traffic lights and diversions.

“Amid the confusion, commuters are finding themselves in an unending maze of traffic gridlocks. Owning a vehicle in Srinagar has become a nuisance as most of the time is spent commuting. On Friday, there was a massive traffic jam in Srinagar city center, which took a heavy toll on us,” a commuter at Jahangir Chowk said.

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The commuters said that the traffic along the Rambagh flyover, Natipora, Jahangir Chowk, Barzulla, and adjoining areas was crippled, pestering the commuters. The commuters also said that traffic jams in Dalgate, Nowpora, Nowhatta, and other downtown areas also created inconvenience for them.

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“Downtown is already grappling with the traffic jams, which get worse during evening and morning hours. In downtown, there are scarce traffic police to manage the traffic, which adds to the issue,” said Javaid Ahmad, another commuter.

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The issue has been hindering the movement of essential vehicles like ambulances as well. The locals ferrying patients in their vehicles said that critical patients are suffering while being moved to any health facility.

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“Even today, there was a massive jam at Natipora, and we were stuck for 2 hours. In such a case, how can a critical patient survive whose life is hanging by a thread during such moments? We demand that authorities take serious note of the traffic issue; otherwise, there is no purpose in buying a vehicle in Srinagar,’ said another commuter.

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Greater Kashmir did a series of stories on the traffic issue in Srinagar. Officials, while acknowledging the issue, said that there is a dearth of manpower. They also said that once the traffic lights are fully functional, there will be a respite for the commuters.

A senior traffic officer said that the traffic jam today was caused as police had closed several routes to Bakshi Stadium.

“We are also ensuring that cops are deployed at important junctions so that commuters don’t face any issues. Better monitoring of traffic via ITMS will ensure a better smooth flow in the coming days,” said an official.