Highway Chaos: 15-Hour Ordeal as Nomads and Fruit Trucks Choke Sgr–Jmu road
Stranded travellers fume over mismanagement, urge authorities to regulate traffic movement
Our Special Correspondent
Srinagar: The Srinagar–Jammu National Highway turned into a nightmare for commuters on Monday as massive traffic jams stretched for miles, leaving travellers stranded for hours in biting cold and frustration.
The chaos was triggered by the seasonal movement of nomadic families with livestock and the heavy rush of fruit-laden trucks heading toward outside markets, creating massive congestion between Qazigund and Ramban.
“It took me nearly 16 hours to reach Jammu from Srinagar. We were stuck for hours near Banihal with no traffic control in sight,” said Aamir Ahmad, a stranded passenger from Anantnag.
Another commuter, Zahida Yousuf, who was traveling with her family, expressed anguish over the lack of planning. “It’s the same story every year. Authorities know the migration and fruit rush will coincide, yet no traffic plan is in place,” she said.
Fruit traders, too, voiced concern over the delay, saying perishable goods worth lakhs are at risk.
“Our trucks carrying fresh apples are stuck for more than ten hours. Any further delay means huge losses,” said Bashir Ahmad, a fruit trader from Sopore.
Officials from the Traffic Department said efforts are underway to ease the congestion and appealed for patience.
“Our teams are on the ground, and movement will soon normalize,” a senior officer said.
However, commuters complained that poor road management and uncoordinated movement of convoys continue to make the highway unpredictable.
