Srinagar, June 16: For the past nearly two decades, a vital link to the south City –the Batmaloo-Danderkha-Aloocha Bagh road –is closed for civilian movement. The move, as per traffic experts, has furthered the congestion on the busy Jehangir Chowk and adjoining its adjoining tracks, particularly the Airport Road.
 If reopened the road is expected to bring respite for thousands of commuters presently driving down the “jam prone” Ram Bagh –Jehangir Chowk track.
 Estimates reveal that around 60 thousand commuters living in the south City areas would be benefited by the reopening of the road, closed by army since early ‘90s.
 The biggest benefit could go to the passengers of the public transport. This is because some 250 buses plying to the south City areas like Sanat Nagar, Hyderpora and Chanapora could be diverted on the track.
 Conservative figures suggest that if each bus ferries a 150 odd passengers a day, 37500 people would escape the traffic jams frequently witnessed at the Magarmal Bagh, Jehangir Chowk, Batamaloo crossings.
 “Decongestion is directly proportional to the smooth flow of traffic so the alternate road will surely benefit the common man,” said a retired Traffic police official adding that during his service tenure he had many a time pleaded that the road be reopened.
 “Because of security concerns the pleas were rejected… Now that the government says the peace has resumed, why to keep the road closed that too at the time when trans LOC routes have been reopened?” he argued.
 The traffic police officials, on the other hand said, the Jehangir Chowk- Rambagh track is amongst the busiest routes in the City.
 “In the peak hours 8 AM to 12 PM there’s a huge rush of vehicles on the road and estimated 80000 vehicles ply in the timeframe,” said a Traffic police official on duty in the area.
 He said his higher-ups are aware of the huge traffic flow adding that the matter was recently discussed at a high level meeting.
 When contacted the Superintendent of Police City Traffic, Shokat Shah agreed that the reopening of the road could help further streamline the traffic flow.
 “We have taken up the issue with the Divisional Commissioner,” the SP said.
 But Minister for Roads and Building department, GM Saroori said only the Home Ministry could solve the issue.
 “Only the Home Ministry is authorized to pick up such issues with the army,” the Minister told Greater Kashmir.
 He added the coalition government was “committed to provide best of the facilities to the people”. “So if the road is of importance, I hope it’ll be reopened,” he added.

Lastupdate on : Wed, 16 Jun 2010 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Thu, 17 Jun 2010 00:00:00 IST