Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Mar 4: The people commuting on the narrow Nagbal-Wailoo stretch in Ganderbal district are facing difficulties due to daily traffic jams, especially during peak hours.
According to locals, the reason for the traffic jams is not only the narrow road stretch but also the frequent and unauthorized stops by public transport, further exacerbating the traffic congestion.
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Local resident Abdul Hameed Mir said that since the 90s, they have been hearing about the widening of the road, however, he noted that since then, nothing has been done on the ground, while people suffer.
“With time, the number of vehicles has increased, leaving the current space of the road insufficient for better traffic movement. We have been told for decades that widening will take place, but it has not happened,” he said.
He noted that employees heading to offices, students to schools, and patients heading towards hospitals are facing issues due to the daily traffic jams.
Another resident, Ghulam Hassan, said that if the widening of the road, along with other measures, is ensured by the authorities, the issue that people are facing will end promptly.
“The road stretch is quite narrow; we have been appealing for steps for seamless traffic movement, but to no avail. There is also a plan for the four-laning of the road, but there is no action on the ground. It is a long-pending demand that needs to be addressed,” he said.
He noted that with the reopening of the schools, the situation will get even worse. “There is also a dire need for measures that need to be taken, especially ensuring that buses stop at their respective stops; for this, the Traffic Department has to play its role,” he said.
Gulzar Ahmad, the concerned DySP Traffic in the area, told ‘Excelsior’ that they have designated a few stops where the buses are meant to halt to ensure seamless traffic movement. However, he noted that there are violations reported which are dealt with as per the law.
“We recently met with stakeholders, and we have provided them with three designated stops to halt so that the jams are prevented. The people need to cooperate, and only that can help us ensure seamless movement of the traffic without obstructions,” he said.
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