While markets across Kashmir witnessed an increased hustle and bustle on Thursday ahead of Eid-ul-Adha or the festival of sacrifice on Saturday, massive traffic jams across the summer capital Srinagar, especially in the evening hours, caused a huge inconvenience to commuters.
Massive traffic jams were witnessed at Pantha Chowk, Dalgate, Lal Chowk, Raj Bagh, Sonwar, MA Road and various other areas of the city on Thursday.
While traffic in various parts of the city plied fairly smoothly till the afternoon, massive traffic jams were seen during the evening hours, much to the disappointment and anxiety of the commuters.
“I visited Lal Chowk in the evening but parked my vehicle at Polo View since traffic was moving bumper-to-bumper. It took me at least an hour to travel from Sonwar to Polo View,” said Shafat Ahmad, a commuter.
Senior superintendent of police (Traffic-Srinagar) Sargun Shukla said roads dug up at two places from Pantha Chowk to Sonwar compounded the traffic jams.
“We had written to the concerned departments, asking them how they could dig up roads on such an important day. It slowed down traffic and added to the problems,” she admitted.
Meanwhile, many Eid shoppers also complained of overpricing, especially that of food items and sacrificial animals.
Department of Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs had on Monday issued a rate list for the sacrificial animals. While price for sheep (Delhi walla) was fixed at Rs 205 live per-kg, Kashmiri sheep rate was fixed at Rs 180 per-kg. The price of sheep (Bakerwal) was fixed at Rs 195 per-kg while the price of goat was fixed at Rs 180 per-kg.
“Absence of officials to keep a check on prices was evident in most of the markets,” the shoppers complained.
Director, FCSCA, Nisar Ahmad Wani said regular market checking has been taking place but limited number of officials available with the department is a hurdle in keeping a check on overpricing.
“Regular market checking is just a deterrent but it is people who have to be cautious while making purchases. Our marketing checking squads have been making surprise visits and we have slapped huge fines on violators,” Wani said.
Shoppers throng markets, but Overpricing, Traffic jams play spoilsport
