Traffic Regulation A Big Challenge Amid Ongoing SSC Projects: SSP Traffic
By Majid Nabi
Srinagar- At a time work under Srinagar Smart City Project is ongoing in several areas, commuters are likely to encounter difficulties as a result of probable traffic jamming on Boulevard in view of the opening of Tulip Garden for visitors from March 19.
Authorities have dug up roads from Lal Chowk to Mughal Garden Shalimar to develop the city on modern lines under SSC, ahead of the G20 tourism track meeting scheduled to be hosted in Srinagar in May this year.
However people, who often travel to Lal Chowk from Harwan via Dal Boulevard are likely to face difficulties, as the authorities have issued advisory directing commuters intending to visit Tulip Garden to take Lal Chowk–Dalgate-Boulevard/Gupkar Road to reach Tulip Garden and Nishat-Foreshore-Habak-Dargah-Khanyar route on return.
“We have not seen such shoddy and subpar arrangements ever before, while roads have been dug almost everywhere in Srinagar, hours long traffic jamming on roads have made our lives miserable. Now given the opening of Tulip Garden, the one way traffic on a single lane stretch on Boulevard will further add to our woes,” Tariq Ahmad, a Nishat resident said.
He said people find it difficult to reach their destinations as a result of heavy traffic jams on roads given the projects being executed under SSC.
“Literally, it takes me around two hours to reach Shalimar from Sonwar in the morning due to the traffic congestion on busy Boulevard as the authorities have dug one side of it while another side has been allowed for traffic. We request the administration to revisit its traffic plan for the larger interest of the public,” Shaista told Kashmir Observer.
When contacted, Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) Traffic city, Syed Muzaffar Shah said people will face inconvenience as work under SSC is on at the moment. He however said the department will try to ensure hassle free movement of traffic on Boulevard.
He said the projects being executed under SSC have narrowed the space of carriage roads at major corridors in Srinagar which is going to throw a big challenge for the department to ensure smooth traffic movement.
“It’s meant to happen as work under Srinagar Smart City is on while Tulip Garden will also be thrown open for visitors from March 19. We will see the situation on Boulevard for the first three days and then decide what needs to be done,” SSP Traffic told Kashmir Observer.
When asked whether any separate arrangements have been put in place for outside visitors to park their vehicles away from Tulip Garden, he said there is no such arrangement in place; however some parking slots have been identified for visitors at Boulevard.
Traffic Police department in this regard has issued a advisory directing people intending to visit Tulip Garden to adopt Lal Chowk–Dalgate-Boulevard/Gupkar Road to reach Tulip Garden and on their return Nishat-Foreshore-Habak-Dargah-Khanyar route to reach their respective destinations.
“Asia’s largest Tulip Garden is being thrown open to the public on 19th March-2023 and it is expected that a large number of tourists and local populace will throng to Tulip Garden and other gardens in its vicinity. Due to the expected rush of people; there are chances of congestion and for the convenience of people and to avoid slow movement, One-Way traffic shall be regulated initially w.e.f 19-03-2023 till 26-03-2023,” the advisory issued by SSP Traffic reads.
Likewise, motorist’s intending to travel from Harwan-Shalimar-Nishat and other adjacent areas towards Lal-Chowk have been asked to travel via Foreshore- Hazratbal route instead of Nishat-Boulevard road axis to reach their respective destinations.
“Motorists intending to travel from Gulab Bagh-Zakoora-Naseembagh-Habbak and adjacent areas shall adopt Habak – Dargah- Khanyar route to reach Lal Chowk instead of Foreshore Road. Visitors are advised to park their vehicles at designated parking places only and avoid parking their vehicles on roadside. Wrongly, parked vehicles will be towed,” it adds.
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