Frequent traffic jams in Shopian town ‘frustrate’ commuters
Locals seek effective management
Shopian: Persistent traffic congestion in south Kashmir’s Shopian town has become a major concern for residents and commuters, who say poor traffic management, illegal parking and the unchecked movement of heavy vehicles are causing daily chaos on the roads.
Locals allege that traffic snarls have become a routine affair in the town, particularly during peak hours, making it difficult for people to move smoothly through the busy market areas.
They alleged that despite government directives restricting the entry of heavy motor vehicles (HMVs) into the town during daytime, the orders are rarely enforced, allowing large trucks and other heavy vehicles to pass through the congested streets and worsen the situation.
According to residents, the problem is further aggravated by the lack of civic sense among some drivers and pedestrians. Even at places where parking space is available, many motorists prefer to leave their vehicles along the roadside, reducing the width of already narrow roads.
Aijaz Ahmad, a resident of Shopian, said that roadside encroachments by vendors and shopkeepers have made the situation worse.
“The main roads are partially occupied by stalls and parked vehicles, leaving little space for traffic. Pedestrians are often forced to walk on the roads, which slows down the movement of vehicles. At times, it takes nearly half an hour to travel just a few hundred meters in the town,” he said.
Another resident, Zahoor Ahmad, said that double parking and unregulated movement of vehicles have turned the town’s main roads into congestion points.
“During busy hours, vehicles remain stuck in long queues for several minutes. There is hardly any proper monitoring, and people park their vehicles wherever they find space. Authorities need to strictly regulate parking and ensure smooth traffic flow,” he said.
Government employees posted in the district headquarters said that the recurring traffic jams are also affecting their professional routine. They said that frequent delays on the roads often make it difficult for them to reach their offices on time.
“Traffic congestion has become a daily challenge for us. Even short distances take much longer than expected, which affects punctuality and overall work schedules,” said a group of employees.
Residents said the issue has been repeatedly raised with the concerned authorities, but the ground situation has seen little improvement. They urged the administration to implement a comprehensive traffic management plan and strictly enforce existing regulations.
Meanwhile, an official said that the authorities are aware of the problem and steps are being taken to address it.
He said that entry of heavy motor vehicles into the town during daytime hours has already been banned and the rule has been strictly implemented. “Once the new highway becomes operational, heavy vehicles will be diverted through that route to ease congestion inside the town,” the official said.
The official added that action will also be taken against roadside encroachments and traffic violators to ensure smoother movement of vehicles and relief for commuters.
