Traffic jams return to haunt Srinagarites

Srinagar, Aug 20: Continuous traffic jams in the summer capital have become a daily ordeal for commuters, with congestion peaking during morning and evening rush hours from the last several days.

From the busy roads of Downtown to the Uptown stretches and the congested city centre, Srinagar is grappling with severe traffic bottlenecks that show no signs of easing.

Commuters complain that the absence of traffic policemen at several crucial junctions makes their daily travel miserable. “It has become a nightmare to commute in Srinagar. Even a 10-minute journey takes nearly an hour these days. At most junctions, you hardly see a traffic cop regulating the mess, and people are left to struggle on their own,” said Irfan Ahmad, a commuter from Bemina.

They said the problem is particularly acute in the city centre, where link roads such as Maisuma, Gaw Kadal, Barbar Shah and adjoining areas have turned into choke points. Commuters said that with little to no regulation, these roads have become a nuisance for office-goers and shopkeepers alike.

“Half of the roads are occupied by roadside parking and automobile mechanics who have converted footpaths into workshops. Add to that the vendors who spread their carts across the road, and it leaves no space for smooth traffic movement,” complained another commuter.

Absence of traffic cops outside majors schools in city centre area during their closure time causes massive traffic jams. “There is hardly any cop to regulate the movement of school vans and buses. Take the example of Lal Chowk. The schools vans and buses leave the parking slot at Press Enclave at the same time, causing gridlocks in the absence of traffic cops,” said Abdul Hamid, a commuter.

The locals said that bad road conditions further add to traffic mess. Potholes and even open manholes slow down vehicles, creating dangerous driving conditions. In several stretches, roadside parking continues unchecked, compounding the already narrow roads.

To make matters worse, several traffic lights across the city remain non-functional, forcing the police to resort to frequent diversions. Commuters said that this often results in additional congestion. “Instead of easing the jams, diversions are making our travel longer and more frustrating. It feels like the city has no real traffic plan in place,” said Suhail Ahmad, an office goer at Lal Chowk.

Another problem is the closure of traffic lights at crucial junctions. Besides, due to an increase in VIP movements, traffic lights are closed on various routes, creating traffic jams.

The Traffic officials maintain that steps are being taken to streamline the situation. A senior traffic police official said that the majority of traffic lights are functional and more are being restored. “The functioning of lights has ensured better regulation and streamlined the overall traffic flow. Alongside, we are cracking down on traffic violators, illegal parking, and encroachments to make the roads safer for all,” the official said.