Commuters livid with traffic jams

Srinagar, Jun 30: Despite authorities bragging of streamlining the traffic in the city, massive traffic jams are still witnessed here, leaving commuters irritated.
The areas where huge traffic jam are witnessed include the city-center Lal Chowk, Jehangir Chowk, Hari Singh High Street, Lal Ded road, Dalgate, Rambagh, and Chanapora.
“The issue is a matter of serious concern which must be taken seriously by the authorities. In such a mess, one gets stuck and has to wait for hours,” Imtiyaz Ahmad, a daily traveller said.
“I travel from Hawal to Dalgate every day, and there is not a single day when I do not experience the brunt of traffic jam, especially at Dalgate-Zero bridge route. It takes me around an hour to reach my office in Rajbagh,” Iqra Nazir, another daily commuter said.
The travellers claim that the traffic jams have turned worse because of the roadside hawkers and vendors who go on with spreading their stalls on footpaths which makes it difficult for people to walk, and they occupy major part of the roads.
“Traffic department seems to be least interested in getting the grave issue resolved. It is we, the common people, who suffer on the daily basis. They do not suffer the thrust of these massive traffic jams. We see how roads are being cleared whenever there is any VIP movement, but for common people there is no room for getting this mess resolved,” a daily passenger said.
The ongoing construction of new flyover from Jehangir Chowk and Rambagh is the main reason of traffic chaos in Jehangir Chowk.
“It is a problem I face every day, but from past few days the condition is worse. It takes me one and a half hour to travel from Jehangir Chowk to Chanapora, Nida Rouf, a student of Women’s College said.
While talking to Senior Superintendent of Traffic Police of Srinagar city, he said, “This is because of waterlogging that traffic jams have elevated from past few days. We are here at Abdullah Bridge since today morning. We hope to get the issue resolved as soon as possible.”