With people of Srinagar facing a tough time due to frequent traffic jams, authorities have failed to take measures for streamlining the traffic system.
The problem has been compounded due to “vote-bank politics” which is hampering removal of encroachments from roads—to ensure smooth flow of vehicular movement.
A senior SMC official admitted that the major hurdle in removing encroachments from footpaths and roads is “political backing”.
“There have been several instances when officials, who took action against the encroachments of roads and footpaths were either transferred or warned. Had the ministers and politicians being sincere to remove them, there would be no road encroachments in Srinagar. Vendors are considered as important asset by politicians for their future electoral gains,” the official said wishing anonymity.
The roads and footpaths in busy Lal Chowk is a glaring example of how encroachers are having field day—
resulting in traffic mess. Besides city-centre areas, traffic congestion are pestering commuters at Batamaloo, Nowhatta, Soura, Hawak. Interiors of Old City are no different due to encroachments of lanes and by-lanes.
Officials said the number of vehicles plying on the roads have increased considerably while the authorities have failed to expedite work on major road widening projects in Srinagar.
“We fail to understand when the government is taking action against the commercial complexes for failing to provide ample parking space, why there is no action against vendors who occupy busy markets and add to the chaos?,” asked Farhan Kitab, Chief Spokesperson, Kashmir Traders and Manufacturers Federation.
SSP Traffic, Srinagar, Maqsood-ul-Zaman admitted that encroachment of roadways and footpaths create hurdle in smooth vehicular movements.
He said that the traffic department has asked the traders and shopkeepers not to park vehicles on roadsides. “We have increased frequency of towing vehicles parked on road sides,” the SP said.
The Traffic department has asked the shopkeepers and commuters to desist from parking vehicles in city-centre areas including Lal Chowk, Residency Road, Polo View, Court Road, Hari Singh High Street, Jehangir Chowk, Maisuma, Budshah Chowk, Maulana Azad Road and Batamaloo.
Officials said parking on roadsides in city centre has been banned on the direction of the High Court.
Pertinently, in absence of proper regulation and wrong parking, Srinagar is witnessing massive traffic jams from past several months. The traffic mess has evoked strong resentment from the commuters particularly students.
Hearing a Public Interest Litigation on traffic mess in Srinagar, the High Court on November 27 had directed Traffic department to disallow parking of vehicles on roadsides. High Court had also directed the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) to seal 27 shopping complexes in malls in Srinagar that have failed to restore parking facilities.
