Unending traffic jams pester commuters in Srinagar

Srinagar, Apr 24: Massive traffic jams in the summer capital are taking toll on commuters, even as dilapidated roads are blamed as a major cause of gridlocks.

The traders in Srinagar have decried traffic jams saying these have been taking a toll on their trade. They said that owing to continuous traffic jams in peak hours, the shops in city markets have been keeping the shoppers away, inflicting losses on the trade community.

The trade bodies appealed to the Srinagar administration to ensure proper management of traffic. They said that the poor traffic connectivity of public transport in the city centre has also taken a toll on them. Traders said that during peak hours, most of the shoppers fear traffic jams and stay away from the markets. They said in heritage markets like Downtown, the dug-up roads and slow pace of smart city work cripple the traffic, which ends up hitting trade.

“People are fearful of navigating amid the traffic mess of Downtown and adjoining areas of Srinagar. This is the reason the trade has been badly hit. Unless the roads are better and better traffic management is in place, we will continue to suffer,” said Mohammad Shafi, a trader from Downtown.

The traders in the city center said that the lack of better management of traffic and connectivity has hit them badly. Farhan Kitab, President of the Joint Traders Association ( JTA) told Greater Kashmir that one of the reasons for trade being hit in Srinagar city is due to traffic mess and lack of better connectivity.

“Most of the office goers who would spare time to shop after office hours are stuck in traffic jams. They choose to go home instead. We witness a traffic mess on Residency Road and MA Road daily when schools close. At Press Enclave and along other junctions, there are major traffic jams. This starts from the mid-day, which is the peak shopping time. We appeal that traffic should be managed in a better way so that trade does not suffer,” Kitab said

Traders said that due to non-functional traffic lights, cops have to manage traffic manually, which adds to the issue. They said many cabs have been stopped from entering Lal-chowk from time to time, but still, there is no respite. “That was done to decrease traffic congestion, but instead, that added to the decrease in footfall of shoppers. In addition to that, the traffic diversion is still in various places, which has made it difficult for commuters to navigate,” said another trader.

SSP Traffic City, Muzaffar Ahmad Shah said that school and office timing are almost coinciding, which results in traffic influx. He said in addition to that, developmental work is ongoing at various junctions across Srinagar, and navigating it has been difficult.

“We are expecting a change in school timing in Srinagar city which will relax the traffic jams. In addition to that, the tourist rush to Dalgate and adjoining areas will decrease as the Tulip Garden has been closed. We are hopeful that Lal-chowk will see a respite, and so will the traders,” Shah said.