Srinagar, Mar 21: The residents from various areas of Srinagar have raised concerns over slow traffic movement, attributing the issue to the encroachment of roads by different types of roadside vendors on several road stretches in the district.
Residents from several Srinagar areas told that they were facing difficulties commuting through the city especially during the holy month of Ramadan in evening time, due to congested roads caused by vendors on many road stretches of Srinagar.
Sajad Ahmad, a resident of Batamaloo, highlighted the problem, stating that the stretch from the AG’s office opposite the Secretariat to the old bus yard in Batamaloo has been particularly affected by roadside encroachments.
“The commute along this route has become a headache. Roadside vendors are encroaching carriage road, and it seems there is no authority monitoring these encroachments,” Ahmad remarked.
Similarly, concerns were raised by residents living in the outskirts of Srinagar, noting that the encroachments on the service lane near the Fairdeal complex in Parimpora pose a significant threat of accidents.
“The service lane near Parimpora Fairdeal complex has become accident-prone as people park their vehicles on the highway to shop from vendors occupying the lane,” expressed a local resident.
Many people also highlighted the road stretch from Qamarwari to cement bridge as another point of traffic jam, caused due to the vendors occupying the road sides.
Many commuters echoed frustrations, especially during the evening hours in Ramadan, citing that vehicular movement is sluggish due to vendors crowding the roadsides with their carts.
Appealing the concerned department, including the Srinagar Municipal Corporation (SMC) and traffic police, people urged upon the authorities to take immediate measures to alleviate the commuting crisis.
“Traffic congestion is impacting both public and private transportation, we urge swift action to restore smooth flow on the city’s roads, particularly during this ongoing important time of religious observance”, said Ahmad.
Meanwhile, in response to the issues raised by the people, traffic authorities told that they would take up the issue with the SMC authorities and would start a drive against the encroachments.
Seeking a response from SMC authorities could not materialise, as there was no response to call or message sent to a top officer.(KNO)
