Massive traffic gridlock pester commuters in City
Failure of authorities to put in place measures for effective traffic regulation on Tuesday took a heavy toll on the commuters who were stranded in traffic jams in the city for hours altogether.
Reports said that massive traffic jam was witnessed this afternoon in the city spread along M A Road from Dal Gate stretch and Batamaloo area including the business hub Lal-Chowk.
“We are stranded in traffic for the last two hours,” said a commuter who was stuck at M A Road here.
“We are stuck even on a scooty, you imagine yourself that how massive traffic jam it would be,” he added.
Commuters complained that wrong parking was worsening the traffic situation in the city with every passing day.
“Scores of private cars are parked on roadsides. Footpaths are occupied by street vendors. There is no space for pedestrians to even walk. They (pedestrians) are forced to walk on road which worsens the traffic jam,” they said.
Locals in the city centre Lal Chowk accuse traffic police of doing little to streamline the traffic.
“Despite the bad scenario of traffic in the city, the traffic cops were today still busy in fining the vehicles which is very unfortunate on the part of the department,” they alleged.
They said in most of the places and important intersections, traffic police personnel were not present to manage the gridlock, which stretched the congestion for hours.
“At most places, traffic jams could be avoided if there are policemen to manage it, but at times people themselves come out of their vehicles to do this,” said a delegation of locals from Abi-Guzar area.
Office-goers and school children said that they faced tough time after they got stuck in the traffic jam.
“One side you have callous approach of the police department in managing the traffic and on another side you are witnessing hot weather. It is tough to bear both of them at a same time,” said an annoyed government employee posted at Urban Local Bodies Department here.
The other places where the traffic jams was witnessed include, Jehangir Chowk, Budshah Chowk, Residency Road, Regal Chowk, TRC, Polo View, Batamaloo and Qamarwari.
IGP Traffic J&K Jagjit Kumar accused people for the traffic mess in the city.
“As the festival of Eid is being observed next week people are thronging the city markets for shopping and many of them resort to wrong parking giving others a tough time,” he said.
He said that they were improving the traffic scenario in the city as compared to last year.
“From tomorrow, we have also started the diversion plans for the city which will definitely bring some respite for the residents,” the IGP said.
KV Correspondent
