Srinagar Chokes as Vehicle Numbers Cross 25 Lakh in JK
City has over 3.75 lakh vehicles; traffic jams, road chaos worsen each year
Srinagar: Traffic congestion in Srinagar has reached alarming levels as the number of vehicles in Jammu and Kashmir continues to grow rapidly.
Official data shows that J&K now has over 25.6 lakh registered vehicles, nearly double the number in 2016 when the count was around 13.6 lakh. In the last financial year alone, over 69,000 new vehicles were registered in Kashmir, with Srinagar leading with around 26,000.
Officials say that in Srinagar city, more than 3.75 lakh vehicles move daily, causing long traffic jams, especially during peak hours.
“The number of vehicles is rising every year, but our roads remain the same. Srinagar is choking under pressure,” said a senior traffic police officer.
Residents say it often takes over an hour to travel short distances. Parking shortages, narrow roads, and encroachments have made the situation worse.
“A 10-minute drive can now take 40 minutes. We waste hours on the road every day,” said Bilal Ahmad, a commuter from Nowgam.
Experts say the lack of public transport is one of the main reasons for the growing chaos.
“People are buying more private vehicles because public transport is unreliable. Without better buses and mass transit, congestion will keep rising,” said Dr. Nayeem Mir, an urban planner.
Officials say the government is preparing plans to decongest the city.
“We are working on new parking facilities, better traffic control, and road expansion projects,” said Rakesh Kumar from the Transport Department. “But people must also follow rules and avoid unnecessary use of private cars.”
Between 2019 and 2024, J&K recorded 4,899 road deaths and over 40,000 injuries, showing how traffic chaos is also becoming a safety concern.
For now, Srinagar continues to struggle, with traffic jams turning into one of the city’s biggest daily problems.
